New york: The United Nations has released its report on the 80th session of the General Assembly, which concluded after a week of intense high-level debates and meetings at UN headquarters in New York. The session was notable for its focus on pressing global issues, including the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, climate change, and the need for UN reform.
According to Qatar News Agency, the session coincided with the UN's 80th anniversary and was presided over by former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, marking her as the fifth woman to hold the position since the UN's founding. The assembly saw participation from a total of 12,296 individuals, comprising official delegations and representatives from various UN agencies. The General Debate itself featured 194 speakers, including 189 from UN member states, the UN Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, and representatives from the three permanent observers: Palestine, the Holy See, and the European Union.
Four nations-Afghanistan, Myanmar, El Salvador, and Seychelles-were absent from the session. Afghanistan and Myanmar did not attend due to unresolved representation issues, Seychelles cited a scheduling conflict with its national elections, and El Salvador abstained for political reasons. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Assembly via video link after being denied a US visa.
As is tradition dating back to 1955, Brazil opened the General Debate, with the final speech delivered by Timor-Leste's Permanent Representative, Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares. The session was notable for the diverse range of speakers, including 83 heads of state, six vice presidents, one crown prince, 41 prime ministers, four deputy prime ministers, 54 ministers, and eight heads of delegation.
US President Donald Trump delivered the longest speech of the session, lasting 57 minutes and 16 seconds, which greatly exceeded the 15-minute limit set by Assembly rules. In contrast, the shortest speech, at six minutes and 44 seconds, was presented by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, focusing on UN reform and global challenges.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres engaged in 148 bilateral meetings and delivered 20 speeches throughout the session, including those marking the UN's 80th anniversary and the opening of the General Assembly.