NEW YORK (Realist English). The high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is opening at UN headquarters in New York. The central event will be the general debate, which begins on 22 September.
The theme of the session is formulated as “Rebuilding Trust, Governing Transformations: The United Nations Working for the Good of All.”
Middle East: “Priority Number One, Two and Three”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, at a preliminary press conference on 15 September, stated that de-escalation in the Middle East must remain “priority number one, number two and number three.”
He called on all parties to stop actions harming the civilian population and demanded the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
The situation in the region continues to escalate. Iran-backed Houthis on 10–11 September seized the strategic island of Perim and the port of Mokha, establishing de facto control over the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Saudi Arabia was forced to halt the East–West pipeline after drone attacks, which removed about 4–5 million barrels per day from global supplies. Brent crude oil prices exceeded $105 per barrel.
Against this backdrop, Guterres called for the full implementation of the peace plan for Gaza and demanded an end to the annexation of the West Bank. “There will be no peace in the Middle East without the implementation of the two-state solution,” the UN chief stressed.
AI: “Borders Do Not Stop Either AI or the Risks Associated With It”
The second key topic of the high-level week will be artificial intelligence. Guterres acknowledged that the technology has “enormous potential” to accelerate development, but warned: an increasing number of specialists directly involved in AI development are warning that the technology is outpacing understanding of the risks associated with it.
“Action at the national level is important. But global coordination is needed. Because borders do not stop either AI or the risks associated with it,” the Secretary-General stated.
The UN has created an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI to develop policy based on scientific data. Guterres noted that AI “will certainly be one of the main topics” of his discussions with world leaders.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who will take part in the high-level week, together with Kenyan President William Ruto will hold an international discussion on the use of artificial intelligence.
Who Will Come to New York
The high-level week will be attended by leaders and high-ranking representatives of UN member states. Among the confirmed participants is Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who will deliver a national statement on 22 September. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the country To Lam will arrive in New York on 20–25 September.
Agenda: From Sustainable Development Goals to Sea Level
In addition to the general debate, the high-level week’s agenda includes a number of specialised events. On 18 September, the annual Sustainable Development Goals Review will take place. On 23 September, a high-level meeting on climate action and a just transition is planned, as well as an event dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
On 24 September, leaders will discuss “existential threats related to sea-level rise.” On 25 September, a meeting on pandemic prevention will be held.
