Doha: Amid a busy agenda of escalating global political, military, economic, and climate-related issues, conflicts, and crises, the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) convened on September 9 under the theme "Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights," chaired by former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock.
According to Qatar News Agency, this session brings together leaders, politicians, and diplomats from more than 190 countries to chart a roadmap toward a more just and sustainable future while reviewing the achievements of the international community in advancing global peace and prosperity. The new UNGA session, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the organization's founding, is a historical milestone for reassessing the role of the United Nations in a world facing turmoil and profound political and economic transformations.
This session takes place amid escalating geopolitical tensions and worsening humanitarian crises. Issues of global peace and security top the agenda, given ongoing armed conflicts across various regions and heightened tensions among major powers. The Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the Russia-Ukraine crisis are among the most pressing items, with leaders attempting to address these complex challenges.
The session features several high-level events, most notably the General Debate, scheduled for Sep. 23 to 29, 2025, where leaders and representatives of UN member states and observers address the Assembly Hall on issues of their choice. Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara is expected to participate, marking the first time a Syrian president has addressed the UNGA since 1967.
On Sep. 22, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with France, will co-chair the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York. Last July, a conference at the ministerial level at the UN headquarters reaffirmed international support for the two-state solution and coordinated steps to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state.
The new session includes a week of high-level meetings, expected to bring together more than 100 Heads of State, 46 Heads of Government, and Ministers. The first high-level meeting on September 22 will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) event, which provides an opportunity to assess the current situation and mobilize the political will and resources needed to accelerate implementation and ensure inclusivity.
Further meetings include a High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women. On Sep. 24, the Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive, and Resilient Global Economy will address commitments related to financing for development. The Climate Summit 2025 on the same day is expected to result in more ambitious commitments to reduce emissions and support developing countries in their efforts to adapt to climate change.
On Sep. 25, a High-level Meeting will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth and another will mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. On Sep. 30, the UN will hold a High-level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar, focusing on displacement and persecution issues.
Annalena Baerbock, the fifth woman to hold the position of President of the UNGA, took the constitutional oath of office on Sep. 9, 2025, under the original UN Charter, affirming her commitment to carrying out the tasks entrusted to her faithfully. She emphasized the significance of the 80th session, noting the importance of sustaining and strengthening the UN to ensure its relevance in the 21st century.
Baerbock also highlighted the current global challenges, stating that the mission of the UN during this session is to demonstrate the importance of the organization to the world's eight billion people, guided by the session's theme.
The UN80 initiative, a reform project focusing on reducing the budget and staffing to make the organization more effective, involves forming seven groups under the UN80 Task Force. However, Dr. Aicha Elbasri, a researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, noted in her interview with Qatar News Agency that the initiative is not fundamentally different from previous efforts and does not address the structural problems facing the UN today.
Dr. Elbasri emphasized the need for structural reform to reflect the UN's universal membership and ensure fair regional representation, particularly for Arab countries. The desired reform depends on the political will of the organization's member states to avoid the fate of its predecessor, the League of Nations.
The UN, founded in 1945 as a result of the devastation caused by World War II, serves as a fundamental platform for cooperation and coordination among nations, providing support in resolving international conflicts and granting legitimacy to international interventions when necessary.