World leaders are converging on New York for the opening of the 80th United Nations General Debate, with speeches beginning Tuesday at UN headquarters.
The session will open with remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, followed by addresses from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock will also deliver statements.
Major Issues on the Agenda
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The debate begins at 9 a.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigerian time) and will run through the week, featuring speeches from around 150 heads of state and government.
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The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict are expected to dominate discussions.
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A special UN Security Council session on Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky expected in attendance, is also on the schedule.
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Leaders will also address the UN’s financial crisis and shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly the role of the United States under President Trump.
Nigeria’s Participation
Nigeria is represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who arrived in New York at the head of a high-level delegation. Shettima is standing in for President Bola Tinubu at this year’s debate.
