World leaders are converging on United Nations Headquarters for what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential annual gatherings in recent memory.

Representatives from all 193 UN Member States – along with two Observer delegations – will take the floor during the general debate. Meanwhile, around the UN campus, a series of high-level meetings will tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity.

Here’s what to look out for during UNGA80. 

General debate

The general debate, which gets underway on 23 September, is for many the main highlight of the General Assembly session. World leaders take to the podium in front of the gilded backdrop to the Assembly Hall to elaborate on their priorities to a global audience.

The notional and voluntary time limit for each speech to enable the efficient scheduling of 193+ speakers over a six-day period is 15 minutes, but it is rarely faithfully adhered to.

Traditionally, Brazil speaks first, followed by the United States as host country.

The new President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, only the fifth woman in the 80-year history of the UN to hold the position, will preside over the debate whose theme is: Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.

The two-State solution: ‘Farther than ever before’

The Two-State Solution, a proposed framework for resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine which would establish two states for two peoples is “farther than ever before” according to the Secretary-General speaking in July 2025.

The two-State solution predates the current conflict in Gaza, which began in October 2023 following deadly terror attacks in southern Israel by Hamas.

With over 65,000 people reportedly killed in Gaza and hostages taken in Israel remaining in captivity in the territory, UN Member States will continue negotiations on the two-State solution at an international conference at UN Headquarters on Monday 22 September.

The conference is a continuation of meetings held by the UN General Assembly in July 2025, in which neither Israel nor the United States participated.

Marking 30 years of the Beijing Declaration

The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is considered the most progressive blueprint ever for achieving gender equality and advancing the rights of women and girls around the world.

Three decades on from this landmark declaration, despite some progress, UN Women, the specialized UN agency which focuses on gender issues, said that there is a “growing backlash against women’s rights.” 

On 22 September, world leaders will discuss the Beijing+30 Action Agenda , which aims to achieve the following for all women and girls: a digital revolution, freedom from poverty, zero violence, full and equal decision-making power, an equal say in peace and security matters as well as climate justice.

Be ready for UNGA80