What to know as world leaders converge at the United Nations this week

Sep 21, 2026 · Michele Kelemen

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

What to know as world leaders converge at the United Nations this week

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the opening of the 81th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Sept. 8. Guterres will attend his last high-level week as secretary-general.

United Nations head António Guterres returns to New York for his final U.N. General Assembly as diplomacy falters over wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the global body faces deep divisions.

(Image credit: Zhang Fengguo)