UN’s First Virtual Meeting of World Leaders Gets Under Way

Published September 22nd, 2020 - 01:21 GMT
In this file photo taken on September 24, 2019 US President Donald Trump addresses the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City. US President Donald Trump will not attend next week's UN General Assembly gathering in person, his chief of staff told journalists aboard Air Force One on September 17, 2020, according to a pool report. Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
In this file photo taken on September 24, 2019 US President Donald Trump addresses the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City. US President Donald Trump will not attend next week's UN General Assembly gathering in person, his chief of staff told journalists aboard Air Force One on September 17, 2020, according to a pool report. Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
Highlights
After Monday's introductory session marking the UN's 75th anniversary, the "general debate" is the meeting's central event — speeches from each of its 193 member nations.

The UN’s first virtual meeting of world leaders is getting under way with pre-recorded speeches from some of the planet's biggest powers,

Among those expected to speak on Tuesday are Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping and French president Emmanuel Macron.

From the Middle East, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani will take the virtual floor as his country comes under huge pressure from the US over the crumblimng nuclear deal.

Jordan's King Abdullah II and the Emir of Qatar will also deliver their addresses.

After Monday's introductory session marking the UN's 75th anniversary, the "general debate" is the meeting's central event — speeches from each of its 193 member nations.

They traditionally serve as a platform for countries to tout accomplishments, seek support, stoke rivalries and express views on global priorities.

This article has been adapted from its original source.

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