UNITED NATIONS, New York, — President Irfaan Ali is set to deliver his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, as the country’s head of state joins the roster of leaders speaking during the 81st session’s General Debate, running September 22–28.
Ali was among the world leaders present Tuesday for the formal opening of UNGA 81 in New York, where General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman set the tone for the session with a call to rebuild trust in the United Nations.
The General Assembly President, a former Bangladeshi diplomat, told leaders that questions about multilateralism and the UN’s effectiveness are not new, having existed since the institution’s founding. He said that while the UN has succeeded in preventing a third world war, survival alone cannot be its measure of success, noting that “outside these walls, people are not asking whether the United Nations still exists. They are asking whether it works.”
“Outside these walls, people are not asking whether the United Nations still exists. They are asking whether it works.”
Pointing to unresolved crises in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, Myanmar and the Middle East, Rahman said trust must be earned through candor about the UN’s shortcomings, deeper structural reform, and greater inclusion of businesses, scientists and civil society, particularly on emerging challenges like artificial intelligence.
He also renewed calls for Security Council reform, noting that Africa remains underrepresented on the Council despite being the largest region by member states, and said “Africa needs to be at the table, not on the menu.”
The General Debate continues throughout the week, with heads of state and government from around the world expected to address the Assembly, including President Ali on Thursday.