Headline: World Leaders Gather in New York for 81st UN General Assembly

Date: 22 September 2026

Tags: World Politics, United Nations, UK Politics, US Politics

Summary:

• Nearly 130 heads of state and government are gathering in New York for the UN General Assembly.

• This year’s theme focuses on restoring trust, managing global transformation and improving the UN’s effectiveness.

• Donald Trump is scheduled to address the assembly, discussing US foreign policy and international challenges.

• Emmanuel Macron, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Andy Burnham are also among leaders scheduled to speak.

• Burnham will hold his first face-to-face meeting with Trump since becoming UK prime minister in July.

• Burnham said he expects to find “common ground” and described UK-US relations as particularly strong.

• Burnham also met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and is expected to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

• Burnham is expected to address artificial intelligence’s opportunities and risks during his General Assembly speech.

• Trump has meetings scheduled with Burnham, Volodymyr Zelensky, Japan’s prime minister and Gulf leaders alongside a Greenland agreement event.

• Ukraine, Middle Eastern conflicts, Sudan, artificial intelligence, energy and global security are expected to feature prominently during the gathering.

Why this matters: UNGA brings world leaders together amid major conflicts, economic pressures and growing concerns about rapidly developing artificial intelligence.

What’s next: Trump, Macron and Burnham will address the assembly, while leaders conduct bilateral meetings throughout the week.