Summary of U.N. General Assembly Activities: Observer States, Extended Security Council Discussions, and Other Key Developments

We are in the third day of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level session at the UN headquarters in New York. This article highlights the key events that transpired on Wednesday and offers insights into what is slated for Thursday. For real-time updates, stay tuned throughout the week.

Wednesday’s Developments at the UN General Assembly

— The Security Council convened a meeting on Ukraine, a situation that held the potential for significant confrontations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were present, although a direct engagement between them did not occur.

— In the Climate Ambition Summit, the United States’ climate envoy, John Kerry, was not granted the opportunity to speak. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom did make an appearance on behalf of the United States.

— Parallel to the U.N. General Assembly activities, U.S. President Joe Biden conducted eagerly awaited bilateral talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

— Two days into the General Debate, it remains to be seen if a single, dominant narrative will emerge.

— The total number of speeches given so far stands at 40.

Anticipated Events for Day 3 at the UN General Assembly

— Featured speakers for the day include Rashad al-Alimi, who leads Yemen’s internationally acknowledged government; Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe; Kenyan President William Ruto; China’s Vice President Han Zheng; and Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the military leader of Sudan and chairperson of its Sovereign Council.

— The address by Abdel-Fattah Burhan is particularly noteworthy, given that it follows last week’s resignation of U.N. envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes. According to Perthes, the ongoing conflict between Burhan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has resulted in at least 5,000 deaths and more than 12,000 injuries, though the true numbers may be significantly higher.

— Two of the three permanent observer states, the European Union and Palestine, will have their representatives—Charles Michel and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, respectively—address the Assembly.

— The Security Council has planned meetings on two subjects: the continuation of discussions on Ukraine and a separate dialogue concerning Nagorno-Karabakh.

— U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to have a meeting at the White House. Additionally, Zelenskyy is expected to make an appearance on Capitol Hill.

— As the General Debate reaches its midpoint by the close of Thursday, there may be an increased likelihood of participants exercising their right to reply.

Noteworthy Quotations

“In a relationship of equals,” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the rapport between Brazil and the United States during their meeting focused on workers’ rights.

Data Point of the Day

The world needs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 22 billion metric tons within the next seven years to achieve climate targets, as stated by Sultan Al Jaber, who will oversee the forthcoming climate negotiations in Dubai.

For additional in-depth coverage of this year’s United Nations General Assembly, please visit United Nations General Assembly Coverage.

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More about UN General Assembly

• United Nations Official Website
• U.N. Security Council Updates
• Climate Ambition Summit 2023
• U.S. Department of State: Bilateral Relations
• United Nations General Debate
• Current Situation in Sudan
• Global Climate Goals
• Upcoming Climate Negotiations in Dubai