Tracking UNGA 77: Notable Moments and Key Themes

September 22, 2022

The 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) comes at a particularly precarious moment for international peace and security. The war in Ukraine, the specter of renewed great power competition, and conflicts and crises around the globe have threatened to undermine the rules-based international order. At the same time, the need for multilateral cooperation has never been more pressing in the face of transnational challenges ranging from climate change to pandemics to nuclear non-proliferation.

Against this backdrop, world leaders and civil society representatives will meet in New York City from Sept.13-27 to discuss these and other critical issues.

During the next two weeks, Just Security will highlight UNGA 77’s key moments and trends to watch. We invite you to regularly check this page for the latest commentary from UNGA 77 as it is updated to reflect the assembly’s meetings, speeches, notable quotes, expert analysis, and more.

Relevant Expert Analysis

Collections

United Nations General Assembly Archive
Just Security’s coverage of United Nations General Assembly affairs, from policy critiques and enforcement of accountability to safeguarding international justice.

Russia-Ukraine War Archive
A catalog of more than 100 articles from Just Security’s coverage of the conflict in Ukraine, with topics ranging from the war’s disinformation and economic consequences to questions of genocide and nuclear proliferation.

Prosecuting the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine
A new series that outlines the importance of prosecuting the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine, organizing an international criminal tribunal established through the United Nations General Assembly, and addressing issues of jurisdiction and composition.

Anniversary of the Fall of Kabul
A collection of articles marking the one-year anniversary of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Articles

United Nations

Mexico’s Initiative for Dialogue and Peace in Ukraine
Ambassador H.E. Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Pablo Arrocha Olabuenaga discuss the Mexican President Manuel López Obrador’s proposal for the establishment of a High-Level Caucus for Dialogue and Peace in Ukraine, as well as the rationale behind it, given the United Nations Security Council’s standstill.

Framing the Problem of Hunger and Conflict at the UN Security Council
Michael Fakhri (@MichaelFakhri) analyzes the Security Council’s failure to adequately address the link between food security and conflict and calls for a global right to food plan.

On Crimes Against Humanity, Protect the UN Sixth Committee’s Integrity With Action
Leila Nadya Sadat (@leilasadat1) and Akila Radhakrishnan (@akilaGJC) review how the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee could make progress on the International Law Commission’s draft treaty.

Addressing Atrocity Crimes at the United Nations General Assembly’s 77th Session
Rebecca Barber (@becjbarber) details how states can leverage this year’s General Assembly to respond to atrocity crimes, including those committed by Myanmar’s military junta, the Taliban in Afghanistan, China, and Russia.

The UN’s Summit of the Future: Advancing Multilateralism in an Age of Hypercompetitive Geopolitics
As the 77th United Nations General Assembly commences, Richard Ponzio and Joris Larik (@JorisLarik) analyze the need to address geopolitical challenges in the midst of a hostile international climate.

Richard Gowan on Ukraine and How Russia’s War Reverberates at the United Nations
Richard Gowan discusses challenges to holding Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine against the backdrop of the 77th United Nations General Assembly.

The Case for Creating an International Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine
Oona Hathaway (@oonahathaway) emphasizes the importance of prosecuting Russia’s crime of aggression in Ukraine and outlines a framework for a tribunal through the United Nations.

The United Nations in Hindsight: Challenging the Power of the Security Council Veto
Shamala Kandiah Thompson (@skandiah), Karin Landgren (@LandgrenKarin) and Paul Romita (@PaulRomita) examine the Security Council’s flawed veto power and its recent shortcomings.

Human Rights

A UN Report Implicates the Chinese Government in Crimes Against Humanity. What Comes Next?
Sophie Richardson (@SophieHRW) discusses the implications of the recently released report on China’s human rights violations against ethnic minorities and how the global community can hold the Chinese government accountable going forward.

Human Rights in the Crosshairs
James A. Goldston (@JamesAGoldston) offers suggestions to strengthen the contemporary human rights movement in light of democratic backsliding and endangered justice.

Next Steps on the Road to Accountability and Security for Rohingya Refugees
Tun Khin evaluates the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis and the Myanmar government’s wrongdoings whilst urging the international community to provide refugees with further humanitarian support.

Gender and Women’s Empowerment

Afghan Women Entrepreneurs Battle to Retain Economic Freedom
Manizha Wafeq (@WWafeq) reviews how the Taliban’s economic and legal systems have squeezed the dwindling number of women-owned businesses in Afghanistan.

Gendering the Legal Review of New Means and Methods of Warfare
Andrea Farres Jimenez (@afarresj) argues that artificial intelligence systems in warfare should be required to take into account gender under the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.

Counterterrorism

The UN’s Counterterrorism Office Wants a Seven-Fold Budget Increase. First, Tackle Underperformance and Risks.
Larry Attree (@LarryAttree) explores the causes and effects of the UN’s counterterrorism shortcomings and suggests structural changes to make its efforts more effective.

Abusive “Counterterrorism” Crackdowns Choke Independent Civil Society in the Middle East
Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (@NiAolainF) writes on how “counterterrorism” strategies in Israel and Saudi Arabia target individuals and groups seeking to hold the governments accountable.

Biden’s New Counterterrorism Policy in Somalia: Cautions and Unknowns
Luke Hartig (@LukeHartig) analyzes the Biden administration’s decision to deploy 500 troops to Somalia and conduct strikes against al-Shabaab.

Non-Proliferation

The United Nations in Hindsight: The Security Council and Weapons of Mass Destruction
With the failure of the 2022 Nuclear Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, Karin Landgren (@LandgrenKarin) analyzes the U.N. Security Council’s role in regulating weapons of mass destruction.

The Tenth NPT Revcon: What’s at Stake for the Global Nuclear Order
Sang-Min Kim (@SangMinKim0) reviews key experts’ views on the goals of the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Climate

Good COP, Bad COP: After the Mixed Results of COP26, What’s Next?
Ben Abraham and Jocelyn Perry analyze the “mixed results” of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference and suggest that implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement will depend on countries’ commitment to addressing the threat of climate change.

Long Term International Climate Assistance to Pakistan is a Hard Sell, but Necessary. Here’s Why.
Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) examines Pakistan’s severe climate vulnerability and the need for international aid as the country endures devastating floods.

Key Meetings and Speeches

General Debate

The General Debate will take place September 20-26, 2022. Delegates from each member state will have 15 minutes to speak, beginning with Brazil and then continuing in alphabetical order.

General Assembly (September 26, 9:00 AM ET): Fourteenth plenary meeting, continuation of the General Debate

20 delegates will speak during the fourteenth plenary meeting. The high-level debate concludes with a statement from the President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly.

Fayssal Mekdad, Minister, Syria
- On the United States in Syria
  - “Fighting terrorism does not happen through an illegitimate international coalition that violates Syria’s sovereignty and destroys towns and villages.”
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “Syria reiterates its position on Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and Russia’s right to defend and secure its own territory,” he told the world body. We are convinced that the Russian Federation is defending not only itself but justice and humanity’s right to reject unipolar hegemony.”
Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi (@Menlu_RI), Indonesia
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “For far too long, the peoples in Palestine have suffered and longed for peace. Until Palestine can truly become an independent State, Indonesia would stand firm in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters.”
- On Afghanistan
  - “Peoples in Afghanistan also deserve a peaceful and prosperous life, where the rights of all peoples including women are equally respected and where access to education for women and girls is granted.”
- On the International Order
  - “Many become part of a proxy war between major powers. This is not what regional architecture should be… We refuse to be a pawn in a new Cold War. Instead, we actively promote the paradigm of collaboration with all countries.”
- On Regional Issues
  - “In the Pacific, Indonesia will continue to strengthen our cooperation with the Pacific countries. We will work together to address our shared challenges, including on climate change. As a Pacific nation ourselves, we want to see the Pacific as an integral part of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
Ramtane Lamamra (@lamamra_dz), Minister, Algeria
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “Addressing the question of Palestine remains the key to restoring security and stability in the Middle East region.”
- On Regional Conflict
  - “Algeria reaffirms its support for the rights of the fraternal people of Western Sahara to put an end to the occupation of their territory so that they can exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.”
Othman Jerandi (OJerandi), Minister, Tunisia
- On Governance
  - “Democracy for Tunisia is a national choice. One that it will not deviate from… This is the will of the people of Tunisia, which are committed to ensuring the preservation of its freedoms, its security, its constitutional rights, the rule of law and the sovereignty of its people in different regional and international bodies.”
- On Food Security
  - “The world is facing an acute energy and food crisis due to perturbations in the supply chain to the world. There’s an unprecedented increase in the price of foods. There’s a decrease in purchasing power.”
Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly), Minister, Canada
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “Russia’s aggressions against Ukraine violate the UN Charter. It strikes at the heart of the commitment we all made in building this Organization from the dark tragedy of the Second World War. Rather than follow this Assembly’s decisions and a legally-binding order from the International Court of Justice, Russia had doubled down, including with a desperate effort to justify the unjustifiable.”
  - “For Putin, this is a war to the death; for Ukraine, it is a war for life.”
  - “Those who break the law must be met with the force of the law. A permanent seat on the Security Council is not a license to kill nor to silence anyone, and it should never guarantee impunity.”
- On Iran
  - “In Iran, women protesting the death of Mahsa Amini are met with arrests and bullets. We salute their courage and join them in sending a strong message that women’s rights are human rights. Today, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada will sanction those responsible, including Iran’s so-called morality police and its leadership.”
Song Kim, Permanent Representative to the UN, North Korea
- On Disarmament
  - “A few days ago, the US president, just at this place, picked on us saying that despite their efforts to begin serious and sustained diplomacy, the DPRK continues to blatantly violate UN sanctions. To put it clearly, we have never recognized such resolutions of the UN that impose pressure because we do not abide by its rules made by the US unilaterally. We will not accept them in the future, too.”
- On the Security Council
  - “The UNSC does not say even a word about the high-handedness and arbitrariness, reckless arms build-up and war crimes of the U.S., but only picks a quarrel with the DPRK at every chance in its righteous efforts to bolster national self-defense capabilities. All of these show that the UNSC has lost its competency and authority to act on behalf of the UN member states when it performs its duty to maintain international peace and security.”
Mohamed Al Hassan, Permanent Representative to the UN, Oman
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “Solving the Palestinian question remains an essential pillar for stability in the Middle East as the conflict has generated many crises, tensions, and acts of violence and, therefore, we believe that the two-state solution, in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, is an urgent need and strategic necessity to achieve lasting peace, mutual trust, and positive cooperation among all parties in the region.”
- On Yemen
  - “My country has worked and continues to exert its efforts through constructive cooperation with all parties to achieve peace in Yemen. While the Sultanate of Oman welcomes the extensions of the truce, it appeals to all Yemeni parties to come to terms with the painful past and focus on formulating a promising and a better future for their country that would preserve the unity, security, and stability of Yemen, on the basis of mutually agreed terms of reference, including the Gulf Initiative, the outcome of the Yemeni-Yemeni Dialogue, and relevant United Nations resolutions.”
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “We call on the international community to redouble its diplomatic efforts to support peace and stability, so as to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, through dialogue and negotiations, which are the most successful means of resolving differences, in accordance with the principles of international law and common human values.”
Csaba Kőrösi (@UN_PGA), President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
- On the 77th General Debate
  - “Fresh pages of history are being written, with new divisions and new alliances, new grievances, and new successes on them.”
  - “There is a cost to speaking out about human rights violations, but the freedom of speaking out is strongly supported.”
  - “When I addressed you a week ago, I said that things… go wrong when we fail to seize the opportunities before us. Our opportunity is here and now. Let us act.”

General Assembly (September 24, 9:00 AM ET): Twelfth plenary meeting, continuation of the General Debate

20 delegates will speak during the thirteenth plenary meeting.

Wang Yi (@MFA_China), Minister and State Councilor, China
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “China supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis… and the fundamental solution is to address the legitimate security concerns of all parties and build a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.”
  - “We call on all parties concerned to keep the crisis from spilling over and protect the legitimate rights and the interests of developing countries.”
- On Taiwan
  - “Only when China is completely reunified, can there be enduring peace across the Taiwan Strait… Any move to obstruct China’s reunification is bound to be crushed by the wheels of history.”
Demeke Mekonnen Hassen (@DemekeHasen), Ethiopia
- On Climate
  - “Africa is not responsible for the historic emissions that caused the climate crisis. Yet, we are the ones making the most tangible contribution to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
- On the Security Council
  - “We are yet to achieve true universality in the main organs of the United Nations. Africa has no permanent seat at the UN Security Council. Our quest for African solutions to African problems is yet to be given the respect and support it deserves. We believe these considerations underpin the credibility of the Council in the continent.”
- On Economic Reform
  - “We call for enhanced focus and support to national efforts to improve agricultural and manufacturing productivity, increase investment, facilitate technology transfer, foster fair trade, redouble debt cancellation and 6 restructuring, and enhance international finance for national priority projects. Furthermore, we should enhance the efforts to combat illicit financial flows, unlawful extraction and trade of minerals, and corruption.”
Sergey Lavrov (@mfa_russia), Minister, Russia
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “I am convinced that any sovereign, self-respecting State would do the same in our stead, which understands its responsibility to its own people.”
  - “The official Russophobia in the West is unprecedented, now the scope is grotesque. They are not shying away from declaring the intent to inflict not only military defeat on our country but also to destroy and fracture Russia.”
  - “The incapacity of Western countries to negotiate and the continued war by the Kyiv regime against their own people left us with no choice.”
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar), Minister, India
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “As the Ukraine conflict continues to rage, we are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest. India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there. We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles. We are on the side that calls for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out.”
- On Terrorism
  - “Having borne the brunt of cross border terrorism for decades, India firmly advocates a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach. In our view, there is no justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivation. And no rhetoric, however sanctimonious, can ever hide blood-stained hands.”
  - “The United Nations responds to terrorism by sanctioning its perpetrators. Those who politicize the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril. Believe me, they advance neither their own interests nor indeed their reputation.”
- On the Security Council
  - “The call for reformed multilateralism – with reforms of the Security Council at its core – enjoys considerable support among UN members. It does so because of the widespread recognition that the current architecture is anachronistic and ineffective. It is also perceived as deeply unfair, denying entire continents and regions a voice in a forum that deliberates their future.”

General Assembly (September 24, 3:00 PM ET): Thirteenth plenary meeting, continuation of the General Debate

14 delegates will speak during the thirteenth plenary meeting.

Jeyhun Aziz oglu Bayramov, Minister, Azerbaijan
- On Armenia
  - “Within almost 30 years, Armenia, having committed ethnic cleansing, carried out illegal settlement policy by transferring Armenians en masse from Armenia and third countries to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, with the aim of preventing Azerbaijanis from return to their places of origin, and securing the annexation of these territories.”
  - “Notwithstanding the increased dynamism in contacts, including direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan over past months, Armenia seems to stick to its past practice of imitation of negotiations, and instead of good faith implementation of its commitments, it frequently resorts to provocations and sabotage to exacerbate tensions and undermine ongoing normalization process with Azerbaijan.”
  - “Contrary to such reckless actions of Armenia, Azerbaijan exercised utmost restraint, took several steps, including through contacts with relevant international partners, and demonstrated good faith and genuine will to restore the ceasefire.”
  - “Azerbaijan is not and cannot be interested in the tension. As a matter of fact, latest hostilities erupted in close proximity of areas where impressive large-scale post-conflict investment, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects are underway.”
  - “In Azerbaijan we believe that our region has seen enough confrontation, destruction and suffering. It is high time for both our nations to engage fully and wholeheartedly in the post-conflict normalization, so we can finally turn over the tragic page of our history and start building a better future for our children. The commitment of Azerbaijan side is there. We hope that Armenia will finally reciprocate constructively and engage genuinely into the negotiations.”
Vladimir Makei (@BelarusMFA), Minister, Belarus
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “It was exactly the West that made this conflict inevitable – not only through its decision to expand NATO, but also by its refusal to consider the proposals that came from its opponents. After all, such proposals did come.”
  - “Instigated by the United States and their allies, Ukraine has been exterminating the people of Donbass for eight years for no other reason than that the local people want to speak their native language, Russian. But the West does not need Ukraine, neither as a member of NATO nor as a member of the European Union. The new patrons simply used it in their own “big game” against Russia. Today, Ukraine is paying the price in blood because its politicians bought into this deception and disregarded the historical brotherhood of the three East Slavic peoples — Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians.”
  - “We very much hope that the tragic events in Ukraine will compel the collective West to realize rather quicker that changes in international relations are irreversible. The sooner this happens, the sooner peace can be brought to Ukraine and other hot spots, and the sooner we can lay the foundation for a new just world order.”
Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister, United Arab Emirates
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “Furthermore, we emphasize our firm position calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4th, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with agreed international references. We also welcome the statement of the Prime Minister of Israel from this podium regarding support for a two-state solution.”
  - “Despite the seriousness of current challenges and the importance of addressing them, we must not lose sight of the need to anticipate the future and strengthen stability and prosperity. As such, the UAE is building a diversified knowledge-based economy guided by scientific and technological progress that allows peaceful and secure, stable communities to thrive. Now that two years have passed since the signing of the Abraham Accords, as well as other initiatives launched this year to enhance regional cooperation, development, and economic growth, we are witnessing notable progress in the Middle East that forms the basis of joint cooperation to address global challenges.”
- On Iran
  - “Recent years have underscored the need to respect international law, especially the Charter of the United Nations, so that it can be applied consistently and without double or selective standards. This is a prerequisite in ensuring a stable and secure international order based on respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of all countries. In this context, we renew our demand to end Iran’s occupation of the UAE’s three islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. History and international law bear testimony to the UAE’s sovereignty over the three islands. We will never stop our legitimate claim to these islands, either through direct negotiation or through the International Court of Justice.”
- On Terrorism
  - “It is not possible to discuss a secure and stable world order in the absence of a firm international position that rejects terrorism in all its forms. . . . This threat has manifested through the vicious and aggressive attacks launched by the terrorist Houthi militias earlier this year on the capital of my country, Abu Dhabi, as well as on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This came at a time when other terrorist groups such as Daesh, Al Qaeda, and Al Shabab are seeking to develop their capabilities and re-organise their ranks in a way that poses a direct threat to the gains attained through international cooperation in the war on terrorism.”
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-furhan Al-Saud, Minister, Saudi Arabia
- On Climate
  - “We need to invest in fossil fuels in order to meet growing international needs and meet the needs of consumers and producers to avoid the negative consequences of unrealistic policies aimed at excluding the main source of energy.”
- On Disarmament
  - “We call upon the international community to intensify efforts to counter proliferation of weapons and to make [sure the] Middle East is exempt from these weapons, an area free of these weapons.”
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “Security and stability in the Middle East also require a just and global solution for the Palestinian question, for the Palestinian state, according to the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. We condemn all unilateral measures that would affect this solution and we call on their immediate cessation.”
- On Yemen
  - “With regard to Yemen, we repeat our commitment towards efforts to bring about a truce and to allow the President to fully play a role and to bring about peace according to the resolution of the Security Council.”
- On Libya
  - “My country also supports the sovereignty and stability of Libya and we call for economic and structural reforms that will help this country to come out of its current crisis. It should not be a breeding ground for terrorists or drug trafficking or other criminal activities that would threaten peace and stability in the region.”
- On Afghanistan
  - “We also repeat the importance of supporting the delivery of aid to Afghanistan. Afghanistan must not become the basis for terrorist operations or a breeding ground for terrorists.”
Ali Sabry (@MOJSriLanka), Minister, Sri Lanka
- On Climate
  - We believe that in tandem with our own efforts, the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gasses must fulfill their commitments and assist developing nations in adaptation and mitigation measures under a common but differentiated framework. We need to work towards a just, sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery from the adverse impacts of climate change, and the energy transition.”
- On Food Security
  - “There is a likelihood that the world will not reach the scheduled milestones to achieve ‘Zero Hunger’ by 2030. It is predicted that food and nutrition security will be at great risk. Sri Lanka is paying serious heed to these warning signs. Sri Lanka supports sustainable transformation of agriculture to a modernized sector and encourages enhanced food production to ensure food security.”
- On Terrorism
  - “Legislative measures and law enforcement mechanisms must be put in place to counter radical ideologies leading to violent extremism and to curb the terrorists’ use and abuse of the internet and social media platforms. At the same time it is necessary to develop the critical thinking capacity of youth, strengthen community bonds, foster a sense of civic responsibility, and build community resilience to mitigate the effects and influences of violent extremist ideology leading to terrorism.”
Carlos Rafael Faría Tortosa, Minister, Venezuela
- On the International Order
  - “After the invasion by the United States of Afghanistan in 2001, trust was lost in the international community. What followed was imperialism and supremacism.”
  - “In spite of the arrogance of the West, we are seeing a change in the post-imperial order, and the North must recognize that the unipolar and colonial system cannot adequately respond to the problems and needs that they themselves have created, harming humanity, animal life, and the planet. According to our vision of the world, human beings are the most exploited, vulnerable, and destroyed by capitalism in all of its historical phases. . . . The North needs to accept new powers and new leadership, such as China, Russia, India, Iran, Turkiye.”
Jean Victor Geneus, Minister, Haiti
- On Haiti
  - “We must create a climate that is conducive to the holding of general elections as soon as possible so as to return the power to those freely chosen by the Haitian people, so as to restore democratic institutions.”
  - “The activities of armed gangs have created a detrimental climate which is poisoning the daily life of the Haitian population. This is an intolerable situation which has reached worrying proportions. The cales between rival gangs have caused a high level of victims among the population.”

General Assembly (September 23rd, 3:00 PM ET): Eleventh plenary meeting, continuation of the General Debate

16 delegates will speak during the eleventh plenary meeting.

Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (@MAKadhimi), Prime Minister, Iraq
- On Terrorism
  - “Despite the difficult circumstances, Iraqis employed that spirit of hope to fight terrorism and defeat it on behalf of the whole world. The task was arduous, and our people made enormous sacrifices not only to liberate their land from the terrorist gangs of ISIS but also prevent them from threatening people everywhere and uprooting its destructive ideology.”
  - “Iraq looks forward to receiving further UN support in reconstructing the liberated areas affected by the occupation of ISIS terrorists. Also, the potential UN aid to respond to the urgent and necessary humanitarian needs to enhance Iraq’s capabilities and efforts to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure in a way that would help these cities and their people, including IDPs to return to normal life again.”
- On Climate
  - “It is no secret that Iraq is going through difficult climate conditions due to the scarcity of water resources, the change of river courses that Iraq shares with neighboring countries, and the building of projects without taking into account their effects on water quotas, and the fair use of riparian countries. All of these conditions combined led Iraq to become the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change.”
  - “Iraq is an oil-producing country that has participated in the progress and development of the global economy since the beginning of the twentieth century. As it suffers from climate change, it will also suffer from all the measures taken to address this phenomenon, and the reduction In dependence on fossil fuels. Despite that, this government has worked on important strategic projects in clean energy, associated gas extraction, and other areas related to the green economy.”
Ismail Sabri Yaakob (@IsmailSabri60), Prime Minister, Malaysia
- On Myanmar
  - “Malaysia is disappointed that there is no meaningful progress in the implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus especially by the Myanmar junta. In its current form, the ASEAN Five Point Consensus cannot continue any longer.”
- On the Security Council
  - “It is not democratic and violates the principles of democracy. This makes it impossible for conflicts to be resolved by any of the permanent members of the Council.”
Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister, Bangladesh
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “However, as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, economic sanctions and counter-sanctions there has been a supply chain disruption and exorbitant price hike of fuel, food and consumer goods. This has brought the economy like ours under tremendous pressure. Inflation has increased. We are taking various initiatives to overcome this situation.”
- On Myanmar
  - “I shall now seek your attention to the forcibly displaced Rohingya peoples from Myanmar. Last month we witnessed the five years of the 2017 mass exodus of the Rohingyas to Bangladesh from their home country. Despite our bilateral engagements with Myanmar, discussions with partners in trilateral format and engagements with the UN and other partners, not a single Rohingya was repatriated to their ancestral homes in Myanmar. The ongoing political turmoil and armed conflicts in the country has made the repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas even more difficult. I hope, the United Nations will play an effective role in this regard. Prolonged presence of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh has caused serious ramifications on the economy, environment, security, and sociopolitical stability in Bangladesh. Uncertainty over repatriation has led to widespread frustration. Cross border organized crimes including human and drug trafficking are on the rise. This situation can potentially fuel radicalization. If the problem persists further, it may affect the security and stability of the entire region, and beyond.
Andrej Plenković (@AndrejPlenkovic), Prime Minister, Croatia
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “The latest announcements about partial mobilisation in Russia, preparations for the organization for sham referenda in occupied parts of Ukraine and nuclear threats are another dangerous escalation in an already unprecedented crisis. While Ukrainian people are suffering the most in their struggle to defend their homes, the consequences of the Russian aggression are felt globally and so it must be condemned worldwide. . . . Precisely because of our own experience, Croatia immediately and unequivocally extended support and solidarity to Ukraine – political, humanitarian, economic and military.
- On Climate
  - “We are also witnessing an intolerable imbalance in terms of greenhouse gas emissions: the richest 1% in the world are responsible for 15% of emissions, twice as much as half the poorest of humanity. This is not acceptable. It is up to those who pollute the most to provide the most effort: it is not only fair but also the most effective if we are to achieve our climate objectives.”
Penny Wong (@SenatorWong), Minister, Australia
- On the Security Council
  - “We seek reform of the Security Council with greater permanent representation for Africa, Latin America and Asia, including India and Japan… Being genuinely committed to the United Nations means being genuinely committed to reforming the United Nations and keeping it vital.”
  - “We cannot accept a situation where large countries determine the fate of smaller countries. That is why Russia’s illegal, immoral invasion of Ukraine cannot be normalized and it cannot be minimized. It was never intended that the Security Council veto power would be used to enable unchecked abuse of the UN Charter – by the very countries that were given the veto.”
- On Regional Conflict
  - “In my own region, where geopolitical contest becomes ever sharper, we must ensure that competition does not escalate into conflict. Because if conflicts were to break out in the Indo-Pacific, it would be catastrophic – for our people and our prosperity.”

General Assembly (September 22st, 9:00 AM ET): Eighth plenary meeting, continuation of the General Debate

17 delegates will speak during the eighth plenary meeting.

Adama Barrow (@BarrowPresident), President, Gambia
- On Economic Reform
  - “In Africa and elsewhere, the cost-of-living crisis and the biting inflation, with food and energy insecurity, are devastating our economies and continue to frustrate pandemic recovery efforts. Additionally, the debt burden has reached crisis levels. We call for general debt relief.”
- On Western Sahara
  - “Moroccan sovereignty and territorial rights over its Sahara region should be recognised by all. In this regard, The Government of The Gambia reaffirms its strong support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, which convincingly serves as a realistic compromise in accordance with UN resolutions.”
- On Myanmar
  - “The plight of the Rohingya remains a matter of grave concern to The Gambia. We call on the Myanmar Government to comply with the rulings of the International Court of Justice and end all human rights violations against the Rohingya. The Gambia will continue to defend their rights.”
- On Taiwan
  - “As a responsible member of the international community, The Gambia considers Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China, and we advocate the adoption of the One-China policy. We urge the international community, therefore, to fully respect China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and avoid actions that undermine global peace.”
Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President, Yemen
- On Yemen
  - “Since the 7th of April, a new era has started in Yemen based on partnership and national consensus through the establishment of the Presidential Leadership Council. This strives to make progress according to the terms of the transition period adopted by our people and approved by the regional and international community.”
  - “The highest goals of the Presidential Council will be [securing] peace and ending human suffering.”
  - “Today we insist on the strong position of the Yemeni Presidential Council: we are calling for a renewal of the [humanitarian] truce [now in effect]… The terrorist militia must not gain power, because they threaten not only Yemen but the whole region and indeed the entire world.”
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (@HassanSMohamud), President, Somalia
- On Climate
  - “In the long term, we must collectively work together to ensure that we mitigate the acceleration of the dangerous and costly climate crisis by meeting the commitment to invest in and adequately finance climate adaptation in the most affected and vulnerable regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa.”
  - “Somalia is caught between floods and droughts annually, owing to climate change and poor infrastructure. Our people, who have a long tradition of living harmoniously with nature and barely contributing to poisonous emissions warming the Earth, are the ones who are paying with their lives today.”
  - “We know that climate change is real, and we are living with the evidence of its painful and destructive reality today. We also know that Somalia, and the rest of the world, cannot develop sustainably without the global climate crisis being jointly addressed quickly and effectively.”
- On Food Security
  - “We urge all our partners to heed our call and work with us to provide immediate support and relief to the most affected communities.”
- On Terrorism
  - “In recent weeks, the unprovoked violence and senseless actions of Al-Shabab against innocent civilians across Somalia has highlighted the urgent need for an expedited, common national and international response to defeating them and advancing regional and global security.”
Abdel-Fattah Al Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan, President, Sudan
- On Sudan
  - “I have the pleasure to look over the most recent developments in Sudan and to reiterate our commitment to peace and a peaceful transition, to establish real democracy that includes fair, free, and transparent elections at the end of the transition period—in order to establish a civilian regime that represents all Sudanese people. And also, to promote national understanding and to allow civilians to enter into dialogue and work together we decided in a communique from the armed forced from the 4th of July 2022, we decided to withdraw the military institution form this dialogue and to allow revolutionary political forces to form a civilian government.”
  - “In order to promote national understanding we have provided all the necessary support to the AU-IGAD-UNITAMS [UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission to Sudan-African Union-Intergovernmental Authority on Development] Trilateral Mechanism. This mechanism has done a lot of work, but has yet to achieve what was required of it. This has made debates on national consensus more complicated.”
- On Refugees
  - “We’ve hosted millions of refugees from across the continent, and for years now, we’ve had our doors open to refugees and we have shared our limited resources and we provide them with protection, and this is despite economic constraints that we’re all experiencing. . . . But climate change is continuing, droughts and floods are multiplying, too, and humanitarian assistance is falling. This is why we would like to recall our collective duty.”
Yair Lapid (@yairlapid), Prime Minister, Israel
- On Iran
  - “There is only one member-state in the UN that openly states its wish to destroy another member-state. Iran has declared time and time again that it is interested in the ‘total destruction’ of the State of Israel. And this building is silent.”
  - “Iran funds Hamas and Islamic Jihad and is behind mass terrorist attacks from Bulgaria to Buenos Aires. It is a murderous dictatorship that is making every effort to get a nuclear weapon. If the Iranian regime gets a nuclear weapon, they will use it.”
  - “The only way to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, is to put a credible military threat on the table. And then – and only then – to negotiate a Longer and Stronger deal with them. It needs to be made clear to Iran, that if it advances its nuclear program, the world will not respond with words, but with military force.”
  - “We have capabilities and we are not afraid to use them. We will do whatever it takes: Iran will not get a nuclear weapon. We will not stand by while there are those who try to kill us. Not again. Never again.”
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “We didn’t only reach the Promised Land, we are building the Promised Land.”
  - “An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israel’s security, for Israel’s economy and for the future of our children… We only have one condition: that a future Palestinian state will be a peaceful one. That it will not become another terror base from which to threaten the well-being, and the very existence of Israel.”
  - “In less than a year, Hamas, a murderous terror organization, came to power. They destroyed the greenhouses and replaced them with terrorist training camps and rocket launch sites. Since we left Gaza, over 20,000 rockets and missiles have been fired at Israel. All of them at civilians. All of them at our children.”
  - “I say from here to the people of Gaza, we’re ready to help you build a better life, to build an economy. We presented a comprehensive plan to help rebuild Gaza. We only have one condition: Stop firing rockets and missiles at our children. Put down your weapons, there will be no restrictions. Put down your weapons, bring home our children who are being held in captivity – Hadar and Oron, may their memory be a blessing; Avera and Hisham, who are still alive – and we will build your economy together.”
  - “Israel seeks peace with our neighbors. All our neighbors. We are not going anywhere. The Middle East is our home. We are here to stay. Forever.”
  - “The burden of proof is not on us. We have already proved our desire for peace.”

General Assembly (September 22st, 3:00 PM ET): Ninth plenary meeting, continuation of the General Debate

17 delegates will speak during the ninth plenary meeting.

Mr. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol Agany, Vice President, South Sudan
- On South Sudan
  - Commenting on a national armed forces that united rival groups following a peace deal signed in 2018 to end the civil war, the Vice President said, “I am pleased to inform you that the command structure of the National Unified Forces has been established. This is a major leap towards transformation and regularization of the forces. Since the unification of the command structure in April 2022, there has been de-escalation in clashes between South Sudan Peoples’ Defense Forces and the SPLA-IO. In addition, graduation of the First Batch of 53,000 National Unified Forces was successfully graduated on the 30th of August, 2022. I am equally pleased to inform you that the parties to the agreement have agreed on a Roadmap to complete the remaining tasks in the peace agreement, which will pave way for a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election at the end of the transitional period in 2025.”
- On Regional Conflict
  - “South Sudan is surrounded by countries afflicted by conflict. As part of obligation to promote peace and stability in the region and beyond, South Sudan successfully mediated the armed conflict in Sudan which resulted into the signing of Juba Peace Agreement in 2020 in Juba. South Sudan stands ready to mediate the current conflict between the army and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) in Sudan so that Sudan can finally enjoy lasting peace. Recently, South Sudan also offered to mediate tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over their disagreement for the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). We further demonstrated willingness to mediate the internal conflict in Ethiopia between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Forces (TPLF). The Republic of South furthermore availed itself ready to mediate border issues between the Republic of Sudan and The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.”
Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan), Prime Minister, Armenia
- On Azerbaijan
  - “The Azerbaijani attack deliberately targeted civilian population and vital civilian infrastructures: Jermuk is one of the main health tourism and resort places of Armenia and now as a result of Azerbaijani aggression all the hotels, resort and health centers of Jermuk are closed. All the residents of this town are displaced.”
  - “There are evidences of cases of torture, mutilation of captured or already dead servicemen, numerous instances of extra-judicial killings, and ill-treatment of Armenian prisoners of war, as well as humiliating treatment of the bodies. The dead bodies of Armenian female military personnel were mutilated and then “proudly” video-recorded with particular cruelty by the Azerbaijani servicemen.”
  - “Committing such unspeakable atrocities is a direct result of decades long policy of implanting anti-Armenian hatred and animosity in the Azerbaijani society by the political leadership.”
  - “Azerbaijan initiated a new phase of aggression. And some of those international partners are silent. But what is now the explanation for the aggression of Azerbaijan… The reality is that Azerbaijan is trying and will continue to use the delimitation process for territorial claims against Armenia.”
  - “We call to support the secure and unhindered access of UN humanitarian agencies to Nagorno-Karabakh in order to assess the humanitarian, human rights situation and ensure protection of cultural heritage on the ground. We think that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the independent fact-finding mission of UNESCO should have access to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.”
  - “It is very important to state that the target of Azerbaijani attacks isn’t only the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, but democracy of Armenia too.”
Micheál Martin, Prime Minister, Ireland
- On the Security Council
  - “But at times we’ve also been deeply frustrated by the Security Council’s failure to act. A year ago, I stood before you and spoke of our ambition for the Council to adopt a resolution on climate and security. Along with Niger, we worked tirelessly to craft a resolution that reflected a resolution that climate change is driving insecurity and acting as a threat multiplier. . . . 113 countries–113 of the members of this Assembly supported us in our efforts. One country, Russia, vetoed these efforts. It frankly beggars belief that in 2022, the UN body charged with the maintenance of peace and security has still not taken on its responsibilities in this area.”
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “Each month, the [Security] Council meets to discuss the situation in Palestine. Each month, Ireland, along with many of our other fellow members of the Council, has reiterated our firm commitment to a two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian state based on 1947 borders, living in peace and security alongside the state of Israel, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. But we were no nearer that aim. . .”
Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, Kuwait
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “We emphasize the need to expend efforts to re-launch the negotiations within a fixed time frame, in order to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, according to the references of the peace process, the resolutions of international legitimacy, and the Arab Peace Initiative, that would end the Israeli occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, along the borders prior to 4 June 1967.”
- On Syria
  - “There is no military solution to [the Syrian crisis], and stress the need for action to reach a political settlement, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly resolutions 2254 (2015), and in what realizes the hopes and aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people.”
- On Iran
  - “We renew our call to the Islamic Republic of Iran to take serious trust-building measures, to start a dialogue built upon the respect of the sovereignty of states, and non-intervention in their internal affairs, as well as to reduce tensions in the Gulf region, and preserve the safety, security and freedom of navigation from any threats.”
Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón (@sanchezcastejon), President, Spain
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “I want to condemn in the strongest terms the announcement of the annexation referendums in the occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson. These false referendums would constitute a new violation of international law by Putin. Let me be clear. The results will never be recognized. We will continue to support the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Precisely now is when we need to act united in defense of the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and in support of Ukraine is most needed.”
- On Energy
  - “Spain has promoted far-reaching regulatory reforms to reduce the impact of rising gas prices. But we are well aware of the need to overhaul the electricity sector, throughout the European Union, and this is something we have been working on for more than a year. It is time to bring the sector closer into line with today’s reality, by limiting and distributing the costs and benefits of price increases more fairly.”
- On the Sahel
  - “We must pay attention to the risks that are highly present in the region, such as irregular flows of migrants and the threat of terrorism. Said threats may soon be exacerbated by the cumulative effects of the food and energy crises, climate change, and demographic trends.”
Alexander Schallenberg (@a_schallenberg), Minister, Austria
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “This war of aggression against Ukraine destroyed several illusions: The illusion that the security architecture we had created after the fall of the Iron Curtain would continue to pay a peace dividend, guaranteeing stability and prosperity; that the European peace project would prevent war on our continent; and that crises and tensions can and would ultimately be solved by peaceful means, through dialogue and diplomacy.”
  - “All of a sudden, we find ourselves in a world in which the rule of law risks being replaced by the law of the jungle. Such a world poses a fundamental threat to us all.”
  - “Yesterday’s speech by the Russian president made obvious that this conflict won’t be over soon. But let us not give in to fear, self-doubt and defeatism. Let us be steadfast and ready to defend our values.”
Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mexico
- On Ukraine
  - “The President of Mexico believes, while aware of the responsibility that each of us has, proposes a caucus of heads of states and government that would help and support the efforts by the Secretary-General that would promote measure that would further progress trust-building measure b/w the Russian Federation and Ukraine and that would allow us to make us of a peaceful resolution mechanism that would be w/i the framework of the UN charter. Tha said, we must all provide a complementary mechanism so that we can interact with the parties to this conflict so that we can bring about the necessary mediation. This proposal was circulated to the S-G in recent days and also involves parties, as well as delegations from India and the Holy See. The President believes the Secretary-General should participate in this caucus as well as His Excellency Narendra Modi and His Holiness Pope Francis.”
- On the Security Council
  - “We have worked for transparency, effectiveness, and accountability within the Council. We will continue to advocate for a comprehensive reform in the Security Council, which will include more chairs, longer terms, and different categories of members so it’s more representative, transparent, and efficient. The paralysis of the Security Council is the result of the abuse of the so-called right to a veto by some of its current members. Actually, in this Assembly, two of them explicitly referred to the need to restrict its use to exceptional situations. In that regard, Mexico and France have proposed that members should abstain from using the veto and only use it in mass atrocities.”

General Assembly (September 21st, 9:00 AM ET): Sixth plenary meeting, continuation of the General Debate

18 delegates will speak during the sixth plenary meeting.

Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari), President, Nigeria
- On Climate
  - “Africa and other developing nations produce only a small proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, compared to industrial economies. Yet, we are the hardest hit by the consequences of climate change as we see in the sustained droughts in Somalia and floods of unprecedented severity in Pakistan.”
  - “Rocketing energy costs worldwide are, in part, the product of conflict and supply disruptions to Europe and the Americas. Yet, we are all paying the price. It is, therefore, our expectation that this UNGA 77 and the upcoming COP 27 will help galvanize the political will required to drive action towards the fulfillment of the various existing climate change initiatives.”
- On Disarmament
  - “The danger of escalation of the war in Ukraine further justifies Nigeria’s resolute calls for a nuclear-free world and a universal Arms Trade Treaty, which are also necessary measures to prevent global human disasters. In this regards we must find quick means to reach consensus on the Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty with related commitments by nuclear weapon states.”
Ebrahim Raisi, President, Iran
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “The region has not seen previously a savage occupying power such as the Zionist regime in its midst in the past. The killing of children and women are present in the dark report card of the Zionist regime. It has managed to form the biggest prison in the world in Gaza.”
- On Disarmament
  - “The Islamic Republic of Iran with goodwill accepted an agreement in 2015. And in the first phase, we did live up to all of our commitments without any exceptions. But the result of that was the trampling upon by America on that agreement. And as themselves said in so many words, there were unprecedented oppressive sanctions in history. Sanctions are a punishment on the people of Iran for being freedom seekers. Weapons of mass destruction is what these sanctions are.”
  - “It was America that left and trampled upon the agreement, not Iran. The International Atomic Energy Agency issued 15 different reports stating precisely that Iran had remained fully committed to all of our commitments.”
  - “We gave ample opportunities for those who trampled upon and left this agreement to return to it. We have been extremely flexible and had it not been for our flexibility, the negotiations have stopped in the very first few days. The logic of negotiations of Iran is a just analysis of what is going on. Our wish is only one thing: commitment, observance of commitments.”
Khurelsukh Ukhnaa (@UKhurelsukh), President, Mongolia
- On Disarmament
  - “I urge not only States Parties to the treaty [on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons], but also all UN Member States to exert political will and courage to build a world free of nuclear weapons, unite and work together wholeheartedly and faithfully for the sake of our Mother Earth, peace, and future generations.”
- On Climate
  - “We, Mongolians, are nomadic and pastoralist people. Lives of over 200 million people, raising livestock and living in harmony with the nature like us, are at risk now due to climate change, land degradation, desertification, drought and extreme winter calamities. In order to protect their interests, improve pasture management and use, preserve ecosystem balance, and provide global food security and supply, Mongolia initiated a UNGA resolution proclaiming the year of 2026 as the “International year of Rangelands and Pastoralists”, and it was adopted on March 15, 2022.”
- On the Security Council
  - “We are of the view that it is important for every Member State to take an active part in the process of the UN reforms and constructively contribute to strengthening the position and role of the organization. Mongolia views that the key to the reform of the UN is the reform of the Security Council, which bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
Joseph R. Biden (@JoeBiden), President, United States
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the United Nations Charter — no more important than the clear prohibition against countries taking the territory of their neighbor by force. Again, just today, President Putin has made overt nuclear threats against Europe and a reckless disregard for the responsibilities of the non-proliferation regime.”
  - “Russia, in the meantime, is pumping out lies, trying to pin the blame for the crisis — the food crisis — onto sanctions imposed by many in the world for the aggression against Ukraine. So let me be perfectly clear about something: Our sanctions explicitly allow — explicitly allow Russia the ability to export food and fertilizer. No limitation. It’s Russia’s war that is worsening food insecurity, and only Russia can end it.”
- On the Security Council
  - “Members of the U.N. Security Council, including the United States, should consistently uphold and defend the U.N. Charter and refrain — refrain from the use of the veto, except in rare, extraordinary situations, to ensure that the Council remains credible and effective. That is also why the United States supports increasing the number of both permanent and non-permanent representatives of the Council. This includes permanent seats for those nations we’ve long supported and permanent seats for countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.”
- On Climate
  - “We all know we’re already living in a climate crisis. No one seems to doubt it after this past year. As we meet, much of Pakistan is still underwater; it needs help. Meanwhile, the Horn of Africa faces unprecedented drought. Families are facing impossible choices, choosing which child to feed and wondering whether they’ll survive. This is the human cost of climate change. And it’s growing, not lessening.”
- On China
  - “Let me be direct about the competition between the United States and China. As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a Cold War. We do not ask any nation to choose between the United States or any other partner.”
  - “We seek to uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. We remain committed to our One China policy, which has helped prevent conflict for four decades. And we continue to oppose unilateral changes in the status quo by either side.”
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “And we will continue to advocate for lasting negotiating peace between the Jewish and democratic state of Israel and the Palestinian people. The United States is committed to Israel’s security, full stop. And a negotiated two-state solution remains, in our view, the best way to ensure Israel’s security and prosperity for the future and give the Palestinians the state which — to which they are entitled — both sides to fully respect the equal rights of their citizens; both people enjoying equal measure of freedom and dignity.”
- On Disarmament
  - “The five permanent members of the Security Council just reaffirmed that commitment in January. But today, we’re seeing disturbing trends. Russia shunned the non-proliferation ideals embraced by every other nation at the 10th NPT Review Conference. And again, today, as I said, they’re making irresponsible nuclear threats to use nuclear weapons. China is conducting an unprecedented, concerning nuclear buildup without any transparency. Despite our efforts to begin serious and sustained diplomacy, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to blatantly violate U.N. sanctions. And while the United States is prepared for a mutual return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action if Iran steps up to its obligations, the United States is clear: We will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.”
- On Iran
  - “Today we stand with the brave citizens and the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights.”
- On Yemen
  - “We’ll continue to back the U.N.-mediated truce in Yemen, which has delivered precious months of peace to people that have suffered years of war.”
William Samoei Ruto (@WilliamsRuto), President, Kenya
- On Economic Reform
  - “On behalf of Kenya, therefore, I join other leaders in calling upon the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral lenders to extend pandemic-related debt relief to the worst hit countries, especially those affected by the devastating combination of conflict, climate change and COVID-19. Furthermore, I urge the G20 to extend and expand the scope of the common framework to suspend or reschedule debt repayments by middle-income countries during the pandemic recovery period.”
- On the Security Council
  - “A just and inclusive world order cannot be spearheaded by a United Nations Security Council that persistently and unjustly fails the inclusivity criterion. Similarly, threats to democracy will not be credibly resolved by an undemocratic and unrepresentative Security Council.”

General Assembly (September 21th, 3:00 PM ET): Seventh plenary meeting, continuation of General Debate

19 delegates will speak during the seventh plenary meeting.

Julius Maada Bio (@PresidentBio), President, Sierra Leone
- On Climate
  - “Fair and accessible multilateral climate financing can catalyze the global and country-specific measures and innovation necessary to build and support sustainable climate resilience. Green investing does support sustainable development. In these efforts, the roles and interests of women and young people must be central to climate investments.”
- On Equality
  - “To address the global food crisis that is disproportionately affecting least developed countries, Sierra Leone joins the urgent call for action to escalate financing to support agriculture and irrigation, enhance food systems and nutrition for vulnerable populations, and social protection for at-risk populations. Sierra Leone also associates with calls to ease global supply constraints especially for fertilizers, rice, and other agricultural commodities. Multilateral support for establishing agricultural development banks that will support private agricultural investments and agricultural value-addition will promote self-sufficiency and greater resilience in that sector.”
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo), President, Ghana
- On Economic Relief
  - “It has become clear, if ever there was any doubt, that the international financial structure is skewed significantly against developing and emerging economies like Ghana. The avenues that are opened to powerful nations to enable them take measures that would ease pressures on their economies are closed to small nations. To make matters worse, credit rating agencies have been quick to downgrade economies in Africa, making it harder to service our debts. The tag of Africa as an investment risk is little more than, in substance, a self-fulfilling prophecy created by the prejudice of the international money market, which denies us access to cheaper borrowing, pushing us deeper into debts.”
  - “It is doubtful that any generation of inhabitants of this earth has ever witnessed such a perfect storm of global economic chaos, a war with global consequences, and an unwillingness or inability to find a consensus to deal with the catastrophe.”
- On the Sahel
  - “A case in point is the destabilizing conflict in the Sahel. It might look to many, today, as a local conflict which affects only the countries in that region. We, in Ghana, know differently, we have watched in horror as the unrest has moved from the Sahel, inexorably, to the West African coastal countries. All of Ghana’s neighbours have suffered terrorist attacks, and some have lost territorial space to the invading forces. Furthermore, the terrorist pressure has provided a pretext for the unhappy reappearance of military rule in three (3) of the fifteen (15) member ECOWAS Community, two (2) of whom have borne the brunt of the terrorist outrages in the Region – Mali and Burkina Faso. It is a development we are determined to reverse, so that the ECOWAS space remains a democratic one.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President (@ZelenskyyUa), Ukraine
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory. Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men. Punishment for the catastrophic turbulence that Russia provoked with its illegal war and not only for us, Ukrainians, but for the whole world. For every nation that is represented in this Hall of the UN General Assembly.”
  - “There is only one entity among all UN Member States who would say now, if he could interrupt my speech, that he is happy with this war – with his war. But we will not let this entity prevail over us, even though it is the largest state in the world.”
  - “And this is the first item of our peace formula. Comprehensive item. Punishment. Punishment for the crime of aggression. Punishment for violation of borders and territorial integrity. Punishment that must be in place until the internationally recognized border is restored. Until the aggression stops. And until the damages and losses for the war are fully compensated.”
  - “A Special Tribunal should be created to punish Russia for the crime of aggression against our state. This will become a signal to all “would-be” aggressors, that they must value peace or be brought to responsibility by the world. We have prepared precise steps to establish such a Tribunal. They will be presented to all states. Ukraine will appeal to the UN General Assembly to support an international compensation mechanism.”
  - “Even now, when Russia talks about negotiations, it only wants to slow down its retreat. Russia wants to spend the winter on the occupied territory of Ukraine and prepare forces to attempt a new offensive. New Buchas, new Izyums… Or at least it wants to prepare fortifications on occupied land and carry out military mobilization at home. We cannot agree to a delayed war. Because it will be even hotter than the war now.”
  - “On the eve of the General Assembly meeting, Russia fired missiles at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant. The explosion hit the station buildings – windows were broken, walls were damaged. The rockets exploded only three hundred meters from the walls of the reactors! And this is after the IAEA’s clear appeal to Russia to stop any hostile activity against any nuclear facilities of Ukraine and, in particular, against the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station – the largest one in Europe, which Russia has turned into a target. And that makes all of you a target. Russian radiation blackmailing is something that should concern each and every one of you, because none of you will find a vaccine against radiation sickness.”
  - “We must finally recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. At all levels. In all countries that confess the values of peace and protection of human life. Legally. Politically. If you don’t have a legal mechanism, you can make a political decision – in the parliaments. This is the foundation for restoring global security. If this strong step is taken, doubts will disappear – whether to take other important steps.”
  - “When one country tries to steal the territory of another state, it puts all world nations under attack.”
  - “The fifth item of the Ukrainian peace formula is determination. Something without which the other four items will not work. This is our determination to fight. This is the determination of the partners to help us, and also themselves. And this is the determination of the world to unite around the one who fights against armed aggression and to call to order the one who threatens all.”
Naledi Pandor, Minister, South Africa
- On Public Health
  - “One of the tasks we must successfully implement to ensure developing countries are not left behind when treatments are available is to create and support research and innovation capacity in Africa for vaccine production invest in strengthened public health systems and produce thousands more professional health workers. This requires sustainable investment in higher education research institutions and in global research cooperation.”
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “We cannot ignore the words of the former Israeli negotiator at the Oslo talks, Daniel Levy, who addressed the UN Security Council recently and referred to, “The increasingly weighty, body of scholarly, legal and public opinion that has designated Israel to be perpetrating apartheid in the territories under its control.” Israel must be held accountable for its destructive actions that have significantly impaired the possibility of a two-state solution.”
Arnoldo Andre Tinoco (@arnoldoandre), Minister, Costa Rica
- On Migration
  - “Costa Rica has never closed its doors to migrants who see in our country a route of passage or a destination to integrate into our society. In the last five years, we have become the fourth country in the world in receiving more refugee applications per capita. But our economic situation and fiscal tightness, coupled with this phenomenon of massive migratory flows, limit our capacity for action and put at risk the adequate coverage that we have ensured in the past to these hundreds of thousands of people who have sought refuge on our soil.”
- On Climate
  - “The ocean is an immeasurable and critical resource for the continuity of life on Earth. Therefore, on the International Day of Peace, Costa Rica vehemently calls for the adoption of a Declaration of Peace for the Ocean. We cannot survive as a species without our ocean. We will not be able to fulfill our various obligations to the Sustainable Development Goals without a healthy ocean. We have much multilateral work ahead of us to safeguard marine resources and ocean health for this and future generations: reaching a global agreement on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, concluding a successful and transformative BBNJ treaty, and discussion regarding the governance of sub-seabed mining.”
Liz Truss (@trussliz), Prime Minister, United Kingdom
- On Governance
  - “Democracy gives people the right to choose their own path. And it evolves to reflect the aspirations of citizens. It unleashes enterprise, ideas, and opportunity. And it protects the freedoms that are at the very core of our humanity. By contrast, autocracies sow the seeds of their own demise by suppressing their citizens. They are fundamentally rigid and unable to adapt. Any short-term gains are eroded in the long term because these societies stifle the aspiration and creativity which are vital to long-term growth.”
- On Queen Elizabeth
  - “I join you here just two days after Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest. We deeply mourn her passing and we pay tribute to her service. She was the rock on which modern Britain was built. And she symbolised the post-war values on which this organisation was founded. Our constitutional monarchy, underpinned by a democratic society, has delivered stability and progress. Her Late Majesty transcended difference and healed division. We saw this in her visits to post-apartheid South Africa and the Republic of Ireland. When she addressed this General Assembly 65 years ago she warned that it was vital not only to have strong ideals but also to have the political will to deliver on them. Now we must show that will. We must fight to defend those ideals.”
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “No-one is threatening Russia. Yet we meet here this evening… In Ukraine, barbarous weapons are being used to kill and maim people, Rape is being used as an instrument of war, Families are being torn apart. And this morning we have seen Putin trying to justify his catastrophic failures. He is doubling down by sending even more reservists to a terrible fate. He is desperately trying to claim the mantle of democracy for a regime without human rights or freedoms. And he is making yet more bogus claims and sabre-rattling threats. This will not work. The international alliance is strong and Ukraine is strong.”
  - “The Ukrainians are not just defending their own country – they are defending our values and the security of the whole world. That’s why we must act. That’s why the UK will spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, maintaining our position as the leading security actor in Europe. And that’s why – at this crucial moment in the conflict – I pledge that we will sustain or increase our military support to Ukraine, for as long as it takes. New UK weapons are arriving in Ukraine as I speak – including more MLRS rockets. We will not rest until Ukraine prevails. In all of these areas, on all of these fronts, the time to act is now. This is a decisive moment in our history, in the history of this organisation, and in the history of freedom.”
- On Economic Reform
  - “Now we must use these instruments in a more systematic way to push back on the economic aggression of authoritarian regimes. The G7 and our like-minded partners should act as an economic NATO, collectively defending our prosperity. If the economy of a partner is being targeted by an aggressive regime we should act to support them. All for one and one for all. Through the G7’s $600 billion Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment we are providing an honest, reliable alternative on infrastructure investment around the world, free from debt with strings attached.”

General Assembly (September 20th, 9:00 AM ET): Fourth plenary meeting, opening of the General Debate

15 delegates will speak during the fourth plenary meeting.

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General, United Nations
- On Geopolitics
  - “Our world is in peril and paralyzed. Geopolitical divides are undermining the work of the Security Council, undermining international law, undermining trust and people’s faith in democratic institutions, undermining all forms of international cooperation. We cannot go on like this. . . . At one stage, international relations seemed to be moving towards a G-2 world. Now, we risk ending up with a G-Nothing.”
Csaba Kőrösi (@UN_PGA), President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
- On the Security Council
  - “I want to advance negotiations on Security Council reform. It is high time that the Council represents the world’s population more equally and that it reflects twenty first-century realities. This is a matter of credibility to our entire organization and our multilateral order.”
Jair Bolsonaro, President, Brazil
- On the Environment
  - “It is essential that, when taking care of the environment, we do not overlook people: the Amazon region is home to more than 20 million inhabitants, including indigenous and riverside dwellers, whose livelihood depends on some economic use of the forest.”
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “Today, the conflict in Ukraine serves as a warning. A reform of the UN is essential if we are to find world peace. In the specific case of the Security Council, after 25 years of debates, it is clear that we need to look for innovative solutions.”
  - “We support all efforts to reduce the economic impacts of this crisis. But we do not believe that the best way is to adopt unilateral and selective sanctions, that are inconsistent with International Law. These measures have harmed the economic recovery and threatened human rights of vulnerable populations, including in European countries.”
Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein (@KingAbdullahII), King, Jordan
- On Israel-Palestine
  - “Inclusion of the Palestinian people in regional economic projects should be an integral part of our efforts. And in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, peace continues to be elusive. Neither war nor diplomacy has held the answer to this historic tragedy. It is the people themselves, not politics and politicians, who will have to come together to push their leaders to resolve this.”
  - “The road forward is the two-state solution. In accordance with UN resolutions a sovereign, viable, and independent Palestinian state on the fourth of June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security and prosperity.”
- On Jerusalem
  - “Today, the future of Jerusalem is an urgent concern. The city is holy to billions of Muslims, Christians, and Jews around the world. Undermining Jerusalem’s legal and historical status quo triggers global tensions and deepens religious divides. The holy city must not be a place for hatred and division. As custodians of Jerusalem’s Muslim and Christian holy sites, we are committed to protecting their historical and legal status quo and to their safety and future.”
  - “Today, Christianity in the holy city is under fire. The rights of churches in Jerusalem are threatened. This cannot continue. Christianity is vital to the past and present of our region and the holy land.”
Gustavo Petro Urrego, President, Colombia
- On Climate
  - “The jungle is burning, gentlemen, while you wage war and play with it. The jungle, the climatic pillar of the world, disappears with all its life. The great sponge that absorbs the planetary CO2 evaporates. The jungle is our savior, but it is seen in my country as the enemy to defeat, as a weed to be extinguished.”
  - “What is more poisonous for humanity, cocaine, coal or oil? The opinion of power has ordered that cocaine is poison and must be persecuted, while it only causes minimal deaths from overdoses . . . but instead, coal and oil must be protected, even when it can extinguish all humanity.”
- On the War on Drugs
  - “The war on drugs has lasted 40 years. If we do not correct the course, and this continues another 40 years, the United States will see 2.8 million die of overdoses [from fentanyl], which is not produced in our Latin America. You will see millions of African Americans be imprisoned in their private prisons. The [Black] prisoner will become a business of prison companies.”
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan), President, Türkiye
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - Speaking about the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the President said, “As a result of the heavy efforts that we [Turkey] had invested together with the Secretary-General, we have managed to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, finding its way to the rest of the global markets. The Istanbul Convention that allowed this export is still very much vital, and the exports are gaining momentum as time goes by. This is a critical agreement that was undertaken jointly with the United Nations, and this is one of the greatest accomplishments of the United Nations in recent decades.”
- On Refugees
  - “Greece is turning the Aegean into a refugee graveyard with its unlawful and reckless pushbacks.”
Yoon Suk Yeol (@President_KR), President, Korea
- On Peace
  - “Genuine freedom is not just being free from the shackles but having opportunities to live life to the fullest with dignity. Genuine peace is not an absence of war but removing conflict and enmity that hold back shared progress of humanity and building the foundation for greater prosperity. Genuine freedom and peace can turn into reality when we are free from disease and hunger, free from illiteracy and free from want of energy and culture.”
- On UN Commitments
  - “To tackle the challenges brought on by the pandemic, the UN must play a central role in bringing the community of nations together to decisively step up their support for countries with limited fiscal space and technical expertise.”
  - “In the era of digital sophistication, one of the most urgent tasks for the global community and the UN is promoting global cooperation to narrow the digital divide which exacerbates polarization between nations.”
- On Technology
  - “The Republic of Korea is pushing forward with its plan to transform the government into a digital platform government. It is an ambitious initiative to remarkably upgrade our democracy, public service, and welfare through digital technology. We will continue to more widely share our advanced digital technology and data, and spare no effort in providing support and in investing in education.”
Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron), President, France
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “On the 24th of February this year, Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, through an act of aggression and invasion and annexation, broke our collective security. It deliberately violated the U.N. Charter and the principle of sovereign equality of states.”
  - “What we’ve seen since the 24th of February is the return to the age of imperialism and colonies. France rejects this.”
  - “We are all aware, as well, that negotiations will only be successful if Ukraine is liberated and its sovereignty is protected. Russia must now see that it cannot impose its will militarily even if there are fake pretend referenda in the territories that have been bombed and occupied.”

General Assembly (September 20th, 3:00 PM ET): Fifth plenary meeting, continuation of General Debate

18 delegates will speak during the fifth plenary meeting.

Romualdez Marcos, President, Philippines
- On Climate
  - “The effects of climate change are uneven and reflect an historical injustice: Those who are least responsible suffer the most. The Philippines is a net carbon sink, absorbing more carbon dioxide than we emit. And yet, we are the 4th most vulnerable country to climate change.”
  - “We call on industrialized countries to immediately fulfill their obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, provide climate financing and technology transfer for adaptation for the most vulnerable and developing countries, and lead by example. We look forward to concrete outcomes at the Conference of Parties in Egypt later this year.”
- On the Security Council:
  - “Our continued solidarity will also benefit from a reformed and more inclusive Security Council and an empowered General Assembly that can 11 hold the Council to account. At the same time, the United Nations must forge ahead with its flagship tradition of global peacekeeping.
Gitanas Nausėda, President, Lithuania
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “On the 24th of February a UN Security Council permanent member started an unjustified, unprovoked, and illegal war against a neighboring country. This gross violation of international law undermined the very essence of the United Nations”
  - “Every UN member is expected to respect the rules of international order we have been creating through decades. But it is only up to us to decide what is still tolerable and what is not. Where are the red lines and were the red lines crossed. For how can we tolerate a member of the international community in a war of conquest and annihilation? A country that is deliberately attacking the rules-based world order. A country whose actions make it more difficult for us all to maintain peace and security across the globe.”
  - “We all know that Russia’s violations of the founding principles of the United Nations did not start seven months ago. Destructive actions have undermined international security for many years. Breaching arms control treaties. Using prohibited chemical weapons both at home and abroad. Continually violating the territorial integrity not only of Ukraine but of Georgia and Moldova as well. Interfering in the elections of other countries. These are just a few examples.”
  - “Lithuania will continue to engage in accountability mechanisms to address the mass atrocities being committed in Ukraine. I call on the global community to establish the Special Tribunal to address the war crimes. It is also crucially important to ensure effective forms of reparations for the victims of these crimes.”
Andrzej Duda (@AndrzejDuda), President, Poland
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “Russia is not limiting itself to fighting the Ukrainian army, with whom they are losing. It is killing civilians or forcibly relocating them to its territory. It is destroying cities, monuments, schools, kindergartens, hospitals. It destroys agricultural crops and devastates the environment. It destroys literally everything it cannot seize or loot. It even threatens to cause a nuclear catastrophe.”
  - “The decision to wage this war was made by people prompted by imperial sentiment and colonial, nationalist hubris – exalting their own people and denying the right to self determination to their sovereign neighbors. They managed to obsess the nation of one of the UN’s founding states with this thought. A nation that had a chance to protest against the insanity of its leaders. Unfortunately, only a few, those most courageous, stood up against this war.”
  - “More than one-third of what has been the granary of large parts of the world has been eliminated by Russian aggression. Who will suffer from this? Those who are most in need. It is an economic weapon, it is the weaponization of food hitting the hardest Africa and the Middle East.”
  - “And there is no hiding it: Russia owes Ukraine war reparations, which it will have to pay back. There is no justice without reparations. This applies to any country plundering another country. It applies today, but it also applies to unsettled issues from the past. I say this as the Polish President. And I think you can well understand why I am saying this.”
David Kabua, President, Marshall Islands
- On Climate
  - “For the Marshall Islands, our first and most threatened priority is to never cease to safeguard our nation’s land, ocean and maritime boundaries, as seas are rising, and to ensure our communities have a safe, secure and fully democratic sovereign future. Our vulnerabilities, and those shared in our region, are severe and diverse.”
  - “Over thirty years ago, in this great hall and at the Rio Summit, our leaders sounded the alarm and warned of its dire consequences. As a matter of record, Marshallese presidents and leaders in every succeeding administration have been active and at the forefront of all UN global conferences on climate change and global warming – speaking out and fighting to keep our low lying nation afloat. Today, we renew our call to the world to declare total war on this century’s greatest challenge – the climate change monster.”
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “The war in Ukraine has influenced sharp economic shocks around the world, and as a remote, small island developing state, our energy security is at a saturation point. Even as we seek to boost efficiency and renewables, greater cooperation is needed to move towards regional approaches to energy security and affordability, including addressing potential joint bulk purchasing.”
- On Nuclear Weapons
  - “My country, the Marshall Islands, was ground zero for the testing of the 67 nuclear and thermonuclear weapons for twelve years during the UN-US administered trusteeship era. The exposure of our people and land has created impacts that have lasted – and will last – for generations. These impacts to our human rights, land, culture, health and lives, are burdens that no other nation or country should ever have to bear.”
Mario Draghi, Prime Minister, Italy
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “We thought we would no longer have to witness wars of aggression in Europe. Imperial ambitions, militarism, systematic violations of civil and human rights seemed to belong to the last century. Since February, however, we have witnessed the bombing of theatres, schools, hospitals; we have seen terrible attacks and violence on civilians, on children; we have witnessed the attempt to subjugate a free and sovereign democracy, which has fought back with pride and courage to defend its independence, its dignity.”
  - “The unity of the European Union and its allies has been instrumental in providing Ukraine with the support it needs and to impose harsh costs on Russia. Moscow immediately tried to divide our countries, to use gas as a means of blackmail. Italy reacted promptly by diversifying gas suppliers and by accelerating the production of renewable energy.”
  - “As Italy has long argued, the European Union must impose a price cap on gas imports, which will also help us further reduce our payments to Russia. Europe must support member states while they support Kiev.”
  - “Italy hopes there can be a future in which Russia returns to the principles it chose to subscribe to in 1945. A world divided into blocs, characterized by rigid ideological demarcations and military confrontations cannot generate development, cannot solve problems. We must maintain our individual identities, but conduct international relations responsibly, legally, peacefully. This principle must apply to all the crises we face: from Ukraine, to the recent clashes in the Caucasus, to instability in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, to tensions in the Indo-Pacific.”
- On Climate
  - “We must continue to support the most vulnerable states to help them defend themselves against the impacts of climate change and to pursue their own transition paths. 11 I am thinking, for example, of the tragic flooding in Pakistan, where a very large part of the country is underwater and millions of people have been forced to leave their homes. The environmental crisis affects us all, and we must come out of it together.”

September 21st

Roundtable on Climate Action

Several world leaders will meet for a “frank and informal exchange” about climate change on the sidelines of the General Assembly. The Secretary-General and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt will chair the off-camera meeting. John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, will attend. Climate action has been a key theme in many speeches given on the General Debate floor thus far. Guterres held a talk with reporters after the roundtable.

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General, United Nations
- On Climate
  - “Climate destruction is happening now. People are suffering now. Which brings me to my fourth point: loss and damage. It is high time for a serious discussion and meaningful action on this issue. I hope COP27 in Egypt will take it up, as a matter of climate justice, international solidarity and building trust.”
  - “Before, there was only concern with mitigation. We have strongly advocated to have adaptation at the same level as mitigation, the same level of climate finance both for mitigation and adaptation. Without mitigation, disasters will be even bigger; and without adaptation, countries will not be able to cope with the impacts of the disasters and people will suffer even more.”

September 26

High-Level Plenary Meeting (10:00 and 3:00 PM ET): Commemoration and Promotion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

The high-level meeting will raise awareness about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their elimination in order to mobilize international efforts towards achieving the common goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General, United Nations
- On Nuclear Proliferation
  - “Nuclear weapons are the most destructive power ever created. They offer no security – just carnage and chaos. Their elimination would be the greatest gift we could bestow on future generations.”
  - “I worry that we are slipping back into bad habits that will hold the world hostage to the threat of nuclear annihilation.”
  - “The era of blackmail must end. The idea that any country could fight and win a nuclear war is deranged. Any use of a nuclear weapon could incite a humanitarian Armageddon. We need to step back.”
  - “I urge all States to use every avenue of dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation to ease tensions, reduce risk and eliminate the nuclear threat. More broadly, we also need a new vision for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. My proposed New Agenda for Peace calls for meaningful disarmament and developing a common understanding of the multiple threats before us.”
Karen Cummings, Minister, Guyana
- On Nuclear Proliferation
  - - “We cannot afford for our planet to be used as a nuclear playground.”

September 23rd

High-Level Side Event (10:00 AM ET): Staying ahead of the Curve – Climate Security and International Law

Hosted by Germany and Palau, this event explores effective approaches to resolving humanitarian, security-related, and geopolitical effects of climate change. Discussions will focus on the legal frame in which climate change is addressed.

Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock), Minister, Germany
- On Climate
  - “We witnessed first-hand that the Pacific island states are at the frontline of the climate crisis. The rising sea levels threaten the livelihoods of your people, they threaten the existence of entire states. But we don’t need to look ten years ahead to see the devastating effects of the climate crisis. In Pakistan, the most severe flooding in recent history washed away villages and left around 3.4 million children in need of assistance. In Ethiopia, millions of people are hungry today due to the worst drought in 40 years. These examples show climate change is an existential threat to international security. This is the biggest security threat we’ve had as a world and international community.”
  - “The climate crisis also poses a challenge to international law because it confronts all of us with completely new and challenging questions: what happens if rising sea levels also put a state physically at risk? Does it still exist? What happens not only to the homes, but also to passports? Does international law provide us with the right instruments to handle millions of people being displaced by climate impacts? What do we call them? Climate refugees? Displaced persons? Do we have sufficient tools to handle such huge population movements? How do we manage this kind of resettlement?”

Press Conference (1:00 PM ET): Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Foreign Minister for Pakistan

Reporters receive a hybrid press briefing by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (@BBhuttoZardari), Minister, Pakistan
- On Climate
  - “Pakistan, and the Pakistani people didn’t create this crisis that they are today falling victims of. Our global carbon output is 0.8 percent. But we are still amongst the 10 top climate stressed countries on the planet. It is not the climate emission of the villages in Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Nasirabad, D.G. Khan or D.I. Khan that created global warming. But these 33 million Pakistanis today are paying in the form of their lives and the livelihoods for the industrialization of bigger countries. And what we seek is not charity, not arms, not aid, But justice.”
  - “Going forward, as we confront reconstruction and rehabilitation, we hope to do so in a greener way. We hope to build back better, a more sustainable infrastructure, be it irrigation infrastructure, be it our communication infrastructure, be it our agriculture infrastructure. We see the opportunity in this crisis for Pakistan to build back better in a more climate resilient manner.”

High-Level Event (3:00 PM ET): Ending the COVID-19 pandemic through equitable access to vaccines, tests and treatments

This event aims to take stock of the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, identify priority areas to accelerate equitable access, and mobilize additional political support to effectively end the pandemic this year.

September 22nd

High-Level Side Event (1:15 PM ET): Cooperation for Accountability in Ukraine: Setting the next steps for collective action to deliver justice

Hosted by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Ukraine, this event seeks to further accelerate efforts aimed at strengthening collective action in support of accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine. It will also promote a coordinated approach that can serve as an example for action to ensure justice in relation to alleged atrocity crimes globally.

Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Germany
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “A collective response means collective action. We need to keep strengthening the mechanisms that lead to prosecution. And for this, we must work together. And we are making progress.”
Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ukraine
- On Russia-Ukraine
  - “The idea is very clear and straightforward – to secure accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and to bring perpetrators of the crime of aggression against Ukraine to responsibility. To achieve these goals, we need a new international legal mechanism – Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.”

September 21st

Roundtable on Climate Action

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General, United Nations
- On Climate
  - “Climate destruction is happening now. People are suffering now. Which brings me to my fourth point: loss and damage. It is high time for a serious discussion and meaningful action on this issue. I hope COP27 in Egypt will take it up, as a matter of climate justice, international solidarity and building trust.”
  - “Before, there was only concern with mitigation. We have strongly advocated to have adaptation at the same level as mitigation, the same level of climate finance both for mitigation and adaptation. Without mitigation, disasters will be even bigger; and without adaptation, countries will not be able to cope with the impacts of the disasters and people will suffer even more.”

September 20th

UNGA Platform of Women Leaders (1:30 PM ET): First Meeting

The first meeting of the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders will be held under the theme “Transformative Solutions by Women Leaders to Today’s Interlinked Challenges.” This special initiative invites all current women Heads of State and Government to discuss priority issues on the international agenda during the UN General Assembly’s High Level week.

Csaba Kőrösi (@UN_PGA), President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
- On Governance
  - “Inclusive governance can result in policies that create positive change over the long term. By integrating the views of diverse women – especially at the highest levels – governments can effectively tailor and target solutions to those most in need.”
Sima Bahous (@unwomenchief), Executive Director of UN Women
- On Women
  - “When more women lead in political and public life, everyone benefits, especially in crises. A new generation of girls see a possible future for themselves. Health, education, childcare, and violence against women, receive greater attention and better solutions. We must find every possible way to amplify the assets women leaders bring. This Platform is an opportunity to do just that.”
Katrín Jakobsdóttir (@katrinjak), Prime Minister, Iceland
- On Women
  - “It is my strong belief that the world needs more women leaders and more diverse leaders, people with all kinds of backgrounds and life experiences.”
  - “The decisions leaders make affect all people in our societies. These decisions should be made by people who have a real and deep understanding of how most people live, of what their concerns are, and are therefore response to their needs.”

September 19th

General Assembly (8:00 AM ET): Sustainable Development Goals Moment

The Sustainable Development Goals Moment brings into focus the promise of inclusion, resilience and sustainability embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Convened by the UN Secretary-General, the event features SDG priorities for the world experiencing much crisis.

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General, United Nations:
- On UN Commitments
  - “Each peril is pushing the Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach. And in the face of such perils, it is tempting to put our long-term development priorities to one one side, to leave them for a sunny day, but development cannot wait. The education of our children cannot wait. Dignified jobs cannot wait. Full equality for women and girls cannot wait. Comprehensive healthcare, meaningful climate action, these cannot be left for tomorrow. Across all of these areas, young people and future generations are demanding action. We cannot let them down. This is a definitive moment… We can put our hands on the wheel of progress and steer a new course, that we can rescue the sustainable development goals and get back on track to building the better world that leaves no one behind.”
  - “We need finance and investment from the public and private sectors. We need a reformed financial architecture that benefits developing countries, providing critical financing and debt relief. This is the only sustainable pathway to address the inequalities that exist in every country, while ensuring that the world doesn’t slide into a recession. Governments need to invest like never before in the health, education, well-being of all people, including refugees and migrants. We need expanded universal social protection to protect people against economic shocks while boosting job creation, especially the digital care and green economies.”
- On Climate
  - “We need to save our planet, which is quite literally on fire. This means addressing the triple crisis of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and pollution. It means supporting the biodiversity framework to transform our youth and preserve our natural gifts for the future.”
- On Peace
  - “By embracing peace and tolerance, and more importantly, by living these values every day, we can move one step closer to the sustainable, equal and just world that every person deserves.”
Csaba Kőrösi (@UN_PGA), President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
- On UN Commitments
  - “We need initiatives from civil society, the voice and passion of youth, the support of the private sector but, most importantly, you, the Member States, to deliver on promises made. The 17 Global Goals are the To-Do List. They must be the To-Do List of all leaders in this room. We are the people who can get this, the To-Do List of the world done.”
Mia Mottley (@miamotmottley), Prime Minister, Barbados
- On UN Commitments
  - “We want you, my friends, the children of this word, to told us, the governments, accountable, and to recognize that we do have choice and leaders can make decisions and leaders are not constrained in the decisions that we make and that everything does not depend on finance, although it is absolutely critical, and we will fight for finance… [and] the reform of the international financial architecture, but even without that there are things that you and I can do.”
Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) Prime Minister, Canada
- On UN Commitments
  - “There are many people living in poverty today, as there were in 2-15 when the 2030 Agenda was adopted. The truth is that everything from COVID, to climate change to international conflict makes the solutions we need more complex and interconnected than ever.”

Transforming Education Summit (10:00 AM ET): Leaders Day at the Transforming Education Summit

The third day of the Transforming Education Summit, Leaders Day, will be dedicated to the presentation of National Statements of Commitment by Heads of State and Government in the form of Leaders Roundtables. A number of thematic sessions will also be held to emphasize the cross-cutting priorities for transforming education. Leaders day will also feature the presentation of the Summit Youth Declaration and the Secretary-General’s Vision Statement for Transforming Education.

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General, United Nations:
- On Education
  - “We must transform education. Because education is in a deep crisis. Instead of being the great enabler, education is fast becoming a great divider.”
  - “Even in developed countries, education systems often entrench rather than reduce inequality, reproducing it across generations. The rich have access to the best resources, schools and universities, leading to the best jobs, while the poor – especially girls – face huge obstacles to getting the qualifications that could change their lives.”
  - “Quality education must support the development of the individual learner throughout his or her life. It must help people learn how to learn, with a focus on problem-solving and collaboration. It must provide the foundations for learning, reading, writing and mathematics to scientific, digital, social and emotional skills.”
  - “At a time of rampant misinformation, climate denial and attacks on human rights, we need education systems that distinguish fact from conspiracy, instill respect for science, and celebrate humanity in all its diversity.”
  - “Every single person in this room knows education transforms lives, economies and societies. But we also know we must transform education. Because education is in a deep crisis. Instead of being the great enabler, education is fast becoming a great divider. Some 70 percent of 10-year-olds in poor countries are unable to read a basic text. Either they are out of school, or in school but barely learning.”
- On Afghanistan
  - “From this platform, I appeal to the authorities in Afghanistan: Lift all restrictions on girls’ access to secondary education immediately. Girls’ education is among the most important steps to deliver peace, security and sustainable development, everywhere.”
Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi), UN High Commissioner for Refugees:
- “To achieve that inclusion in education, which in many situations means essentially ensuring that refugees, displaced, and other marginalized people are included in national education systems. That means that States that are hosting those people or theaters of displacement must have inclusive policies and laws. And that is sometimes very difficult.”
Audrey Azoulay (@AAzoulay), Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
- “Much remains to be done to achieve equality with men in education because we have generations and generations of inequalities in this area. And what it does is that among all today’s adults, among the 771 million adults worldwide who lack basic literacy skills, the injustice is there, two-thirds of these people are women.”
Sima Bahous (@unwomenchief), Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations / Executive Director of UN Women:
- “Earlier this month, UN Women published data that show – based on current rates of progress – that women and girls will not achieve full equality with men and boys for another 300 years.”

September 17th

General Debate Interview with Secretary-General Guterres

Ahead of the 77th session of the General Debate (September 20-26, 2022), the Secretary-General stressed key issues in an interview at UN Headquarters.

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General, United Nations:
- On Climate:
  - “Climate change seems to have moved out of the priorities for many decision makers around the world, and this is a suicide. We see emissions growing and we see fossil fuels become fashionable again, when we know that fossil fuels are the main responsible for the progressive war against nature that we have been waging in our history.”
- On COVID-19:
  - “It is absolutely essential to provide the countries that were impacted by the COVID, by the lockdowns, by the end of tourism, by many other aspects and are today in a desperate situation, in a perfect storm without fiscal space, with an increased debt, it’s necessary to have mechanisms of debt relief, to have mechanisms of provision of liquidity to the developing countries that are more in stress, including middle income countries, in order for them to be able to recover, when we saw that the richer countries were able to print billions or even trillions to relaunch their economies.”
- On Russia-Ukraine:
  - “Most of the crises I have witnessed are crises in developing countries, relatively poor countries, and most of them are internal. Even if afterwards there is an intervention of external powers, but they became as civil wars or terrorist activities inside the country. Now, we have a war between one superpower, and Ukraine, that is also a modern country. And we are talking of levels of devastation that are not possible in situations where the nature of the armaments and the military capacity in place are completely different.”

September 16th

Transforming Education Summit (10:00 AM ET): Mobilization Day at the Transforming Education Summit

The first day of the Transforming Education Summit, Mobilization Day, will be youth-led and youth-organized and will involve the full participation of a wide range of stakeholders. It will serve to convey the collective recommendations of youth on transforming education to policymakers. The day consists of five parallel thematic breakout sessions that pertain to youth advocacy, climate action, and gender and refugee rights.

Amina J. Mohammed (@AminaJMohammed), Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
- “And we must never forget those that have not had the opportunity because of the context, the oppression, the wars, the conflicts, the humanitarian settings that they’re in. These humanitarian settings often are not a couple of weeks, they could be your whole life. And that excludes many, many from education.”
Csaba Kőrösi (@UN_PGA), President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
- “All these platforms, all these suggestions indicate that we have to teach you [youth] about climate change. And you have to teach us about how to galvanize momentum. None of them can be missing from the equation. We need you to make a change.”
António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General of the United Nations
- security, I would say, education. If there was one single thing in which we should invest to reduce the dramatic inequalities in the world, I would say education. If I would have to think about one single thing in which you should invest to stop the destruction of our planet, I would say education. And if there is one thing only in which we could invest in order to make sure that human rights prevail in our societies, I would say education.”

General Assembly (11:00 AM ET): Third plenary meeting

Meeting pertains to the formal adoption of the General Assembly’s seventy-seventh agenda and allocation of items. The General Assembly adopted a resolution to allow Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy to participate via pre-recorded statement by a vote of 101-7, with 19 abstentions.

Prior to the vote, Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslystsya spoke to the assembly, stating that “according to the constitution of Ukraine, the President is the guarantor of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and commander in chief of the armed forces of Ukraine.” Therefore, he “must be and is with the army of Ukraine.”

Press Briefing (11:15 AM ET): Briefing by the US Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Reporters receive a briefing on the United States priorities for the UN General Assembly.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN), Permanent Representative to the United Nations on behalf of the United States
- On Russia-Ukraine:
  - “The good news is that we’ve seen the vast majority of Member States reject Russia’s flagrant aggression. Earlier this year, we helped to win a historic vote to condemn Russia’s war of choice. We were able to successfully suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council, and we continue to hold Russia accountable for its atrocities.”
- On Food Security:
  - “Our first priority – global food insecurity – has never been more urgent. According to the World Food Programme, over 828 million people go to bed hungry every night, 828 million people. COVID-19 higher energy costs and the climate crisis have all combined to contribute to this crisis. And conflicts, especially Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, have exacerbated it.”
- On Public Health:
  - “We will make again global health a key focus on this year’s high-level week, because as COVID-19 reminded us, global health threats do not respect borders. We must tackle COVID-19, monkeypox and other outbreaks and we must do it together.”
- On UN Commitments:
  - “This is a moment to defend the United Nations and to demonstrate to the world that it can still take the world’s most pressing global challenges on.”

Press Briefing (12:00 PM ET): Briefing by the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly and the Spokesperson of the Secretary General

Reporters receive a daily briefing, as well as a briefing on the 2022 Treaty Event by the Chief of the Treaty Section in the Office of Legal Affairs, David Nanopoloulos.

David Nanopoloulos, Chief of the Treaty Section in the Office of Legal Affairs
- With treaties, “what we have seen in the last twenty years is a move from more traditional areas of international relations to those that are the concerns of states right now. So in particular, in the field of the protection of the environment, we have seen a number of treaties adopted, but also very important amendments.” He highlighted that particularly “in the realm of the SDGs, the treaties can be important. . . . For example, a success story is when states decided to fight against the substances that deplete the ozone layer. This was done in part by an important treaty, the Montreal Protocol, which has universal participation.”
Stéphane Dujarric (@StephDujarric), Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
- On Humanitarianism:
  - “Millions of people are suffering from unprecedented hardship and conflicts, drought, floods, and other humanitarian emergencies where the scale of needs has vastly outpaced the resources we have available. The funding gap this year will be the widest it has ever been.”
- On Israel-Palestine:
  - “There can be no winners [in the West Bank] if the current violence continues to escalate…civilians continue to pay the price for political failure.”
- On Russia-Ukraine:
  - “We will support, in whatever way we can, the [Ukrainian] government’s efforts to restore basic services. These are areas that have just changed back into the control of Ukrainian authorities. If the government needs our support, we will do whatever we can.”
- On Haiti:
  - “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the current situation in Haiti, where civil unrest has brought the country to a standstill. The Secretary-General is particularly occupied with the safety of all Haitians, including the most vulnerable, and calls for calm and maximum restraint. He urges all relevant stakeholders to take immediate steps to deescalate the situation, avoid violence, and allow the Haitian national police to fulfill its role to protect the population. The Secretary-General reiterated a strong call for all stakeholders to rise above their differences and to engage without further delay in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue in a constructive way forward. He warns that if the current circumstances continue, the already-dire situation faced by Haiti’s most vulnerable people will deteriorate even further.

September 15th

General Assembly (10:00 AM ET): Second plenary meeting and tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Second meeting includes a tribute to the memory of Queen Elizabeth II, with statements from New Zealand, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica and the Asia-Pacific Group.

Csaba Kőrösi (@UN_PGA), President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
- On Queen Elizabeth II:
  - “When the United Nations is judged by future generations, her hope, she said, would be that ‘our sincerity, our willingness to take a lead, and our determination to do the right thing, will stand the test of time.’ The parallels between the words spoken by Her Majesty and a description of her attributes are clear.”
António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General of the United Nations
- On Queen Elizabeth II:
  - “Queen Elizabeth defied political gravity. She was a consummate diplomat. And she often wielded her diplomatic skills as the only woman in the room. When our institution and Queen Elizabeth were both young, she stood at this very podium and called on leaders to demonstrate their devotion to the ideals of the United Nations Charter.”
Barbara Woodward (@BWoodward_UN), Permanent Representative to the United Nations, United Kingdom
- On Queen Elizabeth II:
  - “With the benefit of historical hindsight, we can all see the things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all. And faced with the complexity of history, Her Majesty reminded us of the importance of forbearance and conciliation of being able to bow to the past but not be bound by it.”

Press Briefing (12:10 PM ET): Briefing by the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, Special Advisor to the Secretary General on the Transforming Education Summit Leonardo Garnier and Stefania Gianni (UNESCO)

Reporters receive a briefing ahead of the Transforming Education Summit, which takes place between September 16-19 and constitutes one of the High-Level Meetings for UNGA 77.

Amina J. Mohammed (@AminaJMohammed), Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
- On Education:
  - “Piecemeal change, no longer an option. So, once in a generation opportunity for us to radically transform education making it fit for purpose; the international community coming together to reverse the slide on the progress of SDG Four, and to begin to sow the seeds for a much deeper transformation of learning.”
Leonardo Garnier (@leogarnier), Special Advisor to the Secretary-General for the Transforming Education Summit
- On Education:
  - “When you don’t finance education, when you save on education in order to balance the budget, you’re being a regal bad economist. Because what you’re saving in the short term is much less than what you’re losing in the long term.”
Stefania Giannini (@SteGiannini), Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO
- On the Youth:
  - Our first outcome is the recognition of the role of youth as not just beneficiaries but actors of changes. The youth declaration outlines a set of recommendations to policymakers and highlights young people’s collective commitments and actions, and it will present it to the Secretary-General to act upon during the summit.”

Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization

Secretary-General Guterres released his annual report before world leaders convene for UNGA in New York next week. The Secretary-General wrote about the accomplishments of and the challenges facing the organization.

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary-General of the United Nations
- On Climate:
  - “At the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Member States committed to recasting efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and to reach net zero emissions targets and phase out inefficient fuel subsidies. We are now pushing for Governments and the private sector to live up to those pledges and secure a rapid and just transition to renewables.”
- On Disarmament:
  - “Disarmament remains central to our work. As military spending rose to $2.1 trillion, the highest level since the end of the cold war, we supported intergovernmental processes aimed at ensuring a safe, secure and peaceful cyber domain, assisted expert discussions on lethal autonomous weapons systems and helped to establish a new intergovernmental process to reduce military threats in outer space.”
- On COVID-19:
  - “The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic persists and, with less than 20 per cent of people in low-income countries vaccinated, recovery is uneven.”
- On Ukraine:
  - “Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, we consistently spoke out in support of the country’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity in line with the UN Charter and on the need for compliance with international law and for accountability.”
  - “We also actively engaged in negotiations to facilitate unimpeded exports of grains, other foodstuffs and fertilizers to help tackle the global food crisis, which resulted in the Black Sea Grain Initiative signed by Ukraine, the Russian Federation and Türkiye under the auspices of the United Nations on 22 July 2022.”
- On UN Commitments:
  - The Secretary-General spotlighted his landmark, 2021 Our Common Agenda report laying out his vision for the UN in response to member states’ request. The report “contains proposals on ways to strengthen social cohesion and solidarity, prevent and manage crises and tackle ongoing and new threats to security. In response, Member States have endorsed the proposals that can move forward immediately, and they are fully engaged on those where further work and dialogue are needed to deliver on Our Common Agenda.”

September 14th

General Assembly (10:00 AM ET): Meeting on the organization of work of the General Assembly

Meeting pertains to the formal adoption of the General Assembly’s seventy-seventh agenda and allocation of items.

Press Briefing (11:30 AM ET): Briefing by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the 77th session of the General Assembly

Reporters receive a briefing on the General Assembly’s 77th session.

António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary General of the United Nations
- On Ukraine
  - “[Russian President Vladimir Putin] and I had the opportunity to discuss the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and its possible expansion… We have discussed the obstacles that still exist in relation to the exports of Russian food and fertilizers.”
  - “It would be naive to think that we are close [to peace]… My good offices are ready, but I have no illusion that, at the present moment, the chances of a peace deal are minimal… So, obviously I go on with my contacts with both sides and hope that one day, it will be possible to move into a higher level of discussion.”
- On Climate
  - “Whether it’s Pakistan, the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, small islands or Least Developed Countries, the world’s most vulnerable – who did nothing to cause this crisis – are paying a horrific price for decades of intransigence by big emitters.”
  - “Lower the temperature – now… Don’t flood the world today; don’t drown it tomorrow.”
- On UN Commitments
  - “This year’s General Debate must be about providing hope. That hope can only come through the dialogue and debate that are the beating heart of the United Nations.”
  - “The solidarity envisioned in the United Nations Charter is being devoured by the acids of nationalism and self-interest. By a shocking disregard for the poorest and most vulnerable in our world. By politicians who play to people’s worst instincts for partisan gain. By prejudice, discrimination, misinformation and hate speech that pit people against one another.”

September 13th

General Assembly (3:00 PM ET): First plenary meeting and session opening by the President of the General Assembly

First meeting is devoted to organizing the work of the General Assembly’s seventy-seventh session.

Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
- On Ukraine
  - “The war must be stopped. It kills people, it kills development, it kills nature and kills dreams of millions.”
- On Climate
  - “The water crisis is poised to become our next greatest threat. Recent weeks have seen record-setting temperatures, raging fires and devastating floods. It looks as if Mother Nature is fighting back.”
  - “We will not be returning to the old normal. The only way to achieve better outcomes is to transform. The contours of the transformation we need are already known.”
- On Disarmament
  - “Never in the past 40 years has the risk of using nuclear weapons been greater than it is today. This ominous reality causes all of us to unite around the issue of disarmament. This also holds true to small arms and light weapons, the proliferation of which is a great obstacle to our development and progress around the world.”
- On UN Commitments
  - “This Hall was created as a place to build trust – to bring about peace and security, development and human rights. We owe it to our 8 billion constituents, the people we are here to serve, to succeed in our aims.”
  - “I will work to foster measurable progress in the sustainability transformation – and cultivate the solidarity we need to achieve breakthroughs or to avert future disasters.”
  - “We must also reach out actively to young people, engaging them in what we do so that when they sit in these seats, they can come with better plans and better ideas than we did.”
António Guterres (@antonioguterres), Secretary General of the United Nations
- On the Future
  - “We face a world in peril across our work to advance peace, human rights and sustainable development.
  - “Addressing common challenges will require continued solidarity as we demonstrate the great promise and potential of this organization. The United Nations is the home of cooperation. And the General Assembly is the life within that home.”
  - “Debate. Deliberation. Diplomacy. These eternal tools represent the best pathway to a better, more peaceful world.”

IMAGE: Flags fly outside the General Secretariat Building at the United Nations Headquarters. (Getty Images)

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Tracking UNGA 77: Notable Moments and Key Themes

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