Hello, this is Kasmira. It’s that time of year again when world leaders once again descend on New York for the United Nations’ annual General Assembly. My colleague Paula Dupraz-Dobias is in the city to get a better take on what happens inside the engine room of the UN, which has had such a huge impact on Geneva.
In a special podcast episode, she sits down with Dulcie Leimbach, editor-in-chief of PassBlue, to discuss some of the critical issues at stake for the multilateral organisation. |
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President Donald Trump delivered a near one hour speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on 23 September 2025. He is scheduled to speak again this year on 22 September. (Keystone/AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)President Donald Trump delivered a near one hour speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on 23 September 2025. He is scheduled to speak again this year on 22 September. (Keystone/AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
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The United Nations General Assembly will hold its high-level week starting Tuesday 22 September, where world leaders will tackle a packed agenda, from conflicts to climate change to pandemic preparedness, against a backdrop of growing discord between members and pressures on the multilateral system. As tradition requires, Donald Trump is scheduled to speak as the second head of state after Brazil on Tuesday, ahead of most of the other 193 member states.
At the same time, the 81-year-old body is grappling with a long list of its own challenges. Last week, the United States paid around $827m of its unpaid dues towards its regular budget, which, alongside late payments by China and other countries, has helped steer the UN away from the brink of bankruptcy.
“The focus appears to have now shifted to a broader reflection on where reforms will go, including mergers, efforts to reduce resolutions and mandates, and a reconsideration of staff compensation,” says Geneva Solutions journalist Paula Dupraz-Dobias.
🎧Listen to the podcast on Geneva Solutions.
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