by World Development Foundation | Sep 16, 2025 | News
New York, 9 September 2025 – The United Nations opened the 80th annual General Assembly session with warnings that it is not a time to celebrate while children are dying of hunger in Gaza, girls are banned from attending schools in Afghanistan and more than 800 million people remain poor while funding cuts are cancelling humanitarian activities.
The international organization established 80 years ago after World War II is faced with unprecedented challenges as its main financial supporter, the United States, has cut fundings for several of its specialized agencies like the UN Children’s Fund and World Health Organization, forcing it to reform and cut 20 percent of personnel.
Annalena Baerbock , the new president of the 193-nation General Assembly and a former foreign minister of Germany, said, “Instead of celebrating, one might rather ask: where is the United Nations, which was created to save us from hell?”
“Where is the United Nations as conflicts spread, as our planet burns, as human rights
are trampled?” she said. “Our answer must be clear: We are not giving up. We are here.
We see you. Even when we face setbacks and frustrations. When diplomacy fails us and consensus eludes us. We will unite to deliver for the people of the world. We will unite to defend the principles of this institution.”
Baerbock urged UN member states to adopt the reform agenda known as UN80 and implement the Pact of the Future adopted by the assembly in 2024.
General political debate September 23-29 – The assembly is scheduled to hold a week-long general debate that will hear dozens of presidents and prime ministers. But on the first day of the debate (September 23) the president of Brazil, by tradition, will speak to open the debate. He will be followed on the same day by 35 other presidents, including presidents the United States, Indonesia, Turkeye, Peru, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Suriname and Lithuania.
In addition to the General Assembly debate, the UN has scheduled other high-level meetings at UN headquarters in New York, as provided by the UN Department of Global Communications:
September 22 – SDG Moment:
The annual SDG Moment highlights inspiring action on the Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing stories of transformation across sectors — from renewable energy to gender equality. The 2025 SDG Moment will bring together global and national efforts to accelerate just and inclusive transitions, even in the face of global challenges.
22 September | High-level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women –
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the UN General Assembly will convene a High-level meeting highlighting achievements, best practices, gaps and ongoing challenges in advancing gender equality worldwide under the theme “Recommitting to, resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.”
25 September | High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth –
Under the theme “World Programfor Action for Youth (WYAP) at 30: Accelerating Global Progress Through Intergenerational Collaboration,” this high-level meeting will focus on strengthening intergenerational partnerships and renewing commitments to advance the global youth agenda.
30 September | High-level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar–
The UN General Assembly will hold a High-level plenary meeting to address the crisis facing Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. The meeting aims to sustain international attention, review the situation on the ground and propose a concrete, time-bound plan for a sustainable resolution—including efforts to ensure the voluntary, safe and dignified return of displaced communities
