The UNGA‘s historic 80th session opened this week with Germany’s Annalena Baerbock becoming only the fifth woman to preside over the global body, as 195 world leaders prepare to address mounting international crises during high-level debates starting September 23.
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Baerbock, a former German Foreign Minister, took her oath on the original 1945 UN Charter and called on member states to unite in addressing “global crises, from war and poverty to climate change,” pledging to lead with “courage and inclusiveness” as she accepted the ceremonial gavel from outgoing President Philémon Yang of Cameroon.
President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to address the assembly on September 24 during the afternoon session at 8:30 pm local time, making him the 17th speaker on the second day of debates.
According to UN sources, Tinubu’s placement among world leaders speaking in the early sessions demonstrates the goodwill Nigeria enjoys internationally. UN tradition typically reserves the first two days for heads of state, with vice-presidents and other officials speaking later in the week.
Nigeria’s diplomatic influence was displayed in 2024 when Vice-President Kashim Shettima, representing Tinubu, maintained the country’s prestigious first-day speaking slot despite protocol typically requiring such substitutions to move to later days. UN diplomats described this accommodation as “very unusual” and credited it to effective diplomatic manoeuvring by Nigerian representatives.
The speaker lineup follows UN tradition, with Brazil’s President Luiz da Silva delivering the opening address, followed by US President Donald Trump representing the host country. The 195 participating leaders include 98 heads of state, five vice-presidents, 44 heads of government, four deputy prime ministers, 37 ministers, one crown prince, and four delegation chairs.
Movses Abelian, Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, noted that the provisional speaker list remains fluid, with “changes in the level of representation” and “exchanges among Member States” continuing until the debates begin.
The 80th session operates under the theme “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” marking eight decades since the UN’s founding in 1945. The high-level week, running from September 22-30, features multiple critical conferences beyond the general debate.
Key events include the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the UN, the SDG Moment, and the High-level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. Other significant gatherings address the Palestine question and two-state solution, climate action, and the launch of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
The assembly convenes amid unprecedented global challenges, with leaders expected to address ongoing conflicts, climate emergencies, and emerging technological governance issues. The 80th session will provide a platform for reassessing multilateral cooperation as the world faces what many diplomats describe as the most complex set of international crises since the UN’s founding.
The general debate continues through September 29, offering world leaders opportunities to present their nations’ positions on pressing global issues and engage in diplomatic dialogue on the margins of formal proceedings.
Featured image: The UN General Assembly in session (Source: Mary Altaffer/AP)
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