The United Nations says 73 Heads of State and 45 Heads of Government are expected in New York for the 81st General Assembly high-level week scheduled for Sept. 22 to Sept. 28.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric disclosed this while briefing correspondents ahead of the annual gathering of world leaders at UN Headquarters.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to join other world leaders to lead his country’s delegation and present Nigeria’s national statement on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Nigeria moved two spots from the previous 10th spot to eight spot in the provisional list of speakers obtained by the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
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.
The figures underline the diplomatic significance of the General Assembly high-level week, which annually transforms UN Headquarters into a major centre of global diplomacy.
The General Debate of the 81st session is scheduled for Sept. 22 to Sept. 26 and Sept. 28 at the UN Headquarters in New York. Heads of State, governments and other senior representatives will use the debate to present national 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 during the high-level week.
“Alongside the mandated meetings, there are about 168 events that are scheduled during the high-level week,” he said.
The UN spokesperson said Member States had also submitted about 1,000 requests for bilateral meetings among themselves. Dujarric said bilateral meetings 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 leaders at a time of continuing geopolitical tensions, conflicts, development financing challenges and 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 amount to 3,225 media accreditations in addition to journalists permanently accredited to cover the United Nations.
Dujarric said the numbers 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 world leaders together for speeches, negotiations, bilateral engagements and discussions on global challenges.