By Janet Ekstract NEW YORK – In a one-hour meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025 U.N. officials and heads of states and government will mark the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. It will be an opportunity to reflect on achievements of the past and to foresee the road ahead for a more inclusive and responsive multilateral system. This year’s 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly, whose theme is Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights –comes at a pivotal time with the need to renew global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity and shared action for people and the planet. The high-level U.N. General Assembly week will highlight the urgency of delivering on the promise of Sustainable Development Goals and reinvigorating global cooperation. The focus will be on two key platforms that will spotlight action and solutions: the SDG Media Zoneproduced by the U.N. Department of Global Communications with dynamic interviews and panel discussions on SDG solutions that will meet September 22-26 and the Goals Lounge that’s convened by the U.N. Deputy Secretary-General, hosted by the U.N. Office for Partnerships from September 20-26. It will feature unscripted dialogues, deep dives into vital issues and interactive experiences with all events livestreamed on U.N. WebTV.
In preparation for the 80th anniversary high-level week, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a series of meetings on Sunday, September 21, 2025 with regional and world leaders whose focus centered on strengthening international cooperation and mutual collaboration. The UN chief explored new collaboration between the U.N. and the Arab League, to address regional challenges with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. They also focused on crises in the Middle East with Gaza, Syria and Sudan as priorities. The U.N. secretary-general also met with the President of Finland Alexander Stubb to discuss global geopolitical trends and the U.N. role in peace mediation efforts on a global scale. With Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko, Guterres focused on opportunities for collaboration between Botswana and the U.N. with talks on reforming the international financial architecture. Guterres lauded Botswana’s commitment in advancing U.N. priorities, especially in development and peacebuilding initiatives.
Also, significant was the welcoming of new U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Michael Waltz as Guterres underscored the foundational role that the U.S. has at the U.N. As Guterres said: “The United States was key in the creation of the UN, and for decades, the support of the United States to the UN — both political and financial support — has been crucial for our organization,” Guterres said. The secretary-general emphasized that U.S. backing is “one of the pillars of international cooperation.” The 80th UN General Assembly Assembly’s High-level Week will open on September 23 and run through Sept. 29.
