73 Heads of State, 45 Heads of Gov’t expected at UNGA

NEW YORK — No fewer than 73 Heads of State and 45 Heads of Government are expected to participate in the high-level week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters in New York.

UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, disclosed this while briefing correspondents ahead of the annual gathering of world leaders.

Dujarric said 49 ministers, 11 vice-presidents and one crown prince were also expected to participate in the high-level engagements.

“So far, we expect about 73 Heads of State, 45 Heads of Government, 49 Ministers, 11 Vice-Presidents and one Crown Prince,” he said.

Nigeria is expected to present its national statement on Wednesday, September 23, moving two places up from the previous 10th position to eighth in the provisional list of speakers obtained by newsmen.

The figures underscore the diplomatic significance of the General Assembly high-level week, which annually transforms the UN Headquarters into a major centre of global diplomacy.

The General Debate of the 81st Session is scheduled to hold from September 22 to 26 and September 28 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Heads of State, Heads of Government and other senior representatives will use the debate to present their countries’ positions on major international political, economic, security and development challenges.

Beyond the mandated high-level meetings, Dujarric said about 168 other events had been scheduled for the high-level week.

“Alongside the mandated meetings, there are about 168 events that are scheduled during the high-level week,” he said.

He added that Member States had submitted about 1,000 requests for bilateral meetings among themselves, while bilateral engagements involving UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, were also being scheduled.

The high-level week will feature major meetings on development, climate action, sea-level rise, pandemic preparedness, racial justice and other global priorities.

The UN said the 81st Session would convene world leaders at a time of continuing geopolitical tensions, conflicts, development financing challenges and growing pressure on the multilateral system.

The 81st Session is being presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Dujarric also disclosed that thousands of journalists had been accredited to cover the gathering.

“We have issued 1,935 press passes for visiting journalists and an additional 1,290 press passes for official media,” he said.

The figures bring the total number of media accreditations to 3,225, in addition to journalists permanently accredited to cover the United Nations.

Dujarric said the figures could still change as additional delegations, events and media arrangements were finalised.

“We will keep updating you on numbers as they evolve,” the UN spokesperson said.

The General Assembly high-level week remains the largest annual diplomatic gathering at the United Nations, bringing together world leaders for national statements, negotiations, bilateral engagements and discussions on pressing global challenges.