UN: Iran and Ukraine War Take Center Stage on Second Day of General Assembly

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is continuing in New York, where heads of state and government are taking turns at the podium through September 28. After speeches delivered Tuesday by U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, attention turns Wednesday, September 23, to Iran.

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian is set to address the Assembly against a backdrop of persistent tensions surrounding Tehran's nuclear program and its relations with Western powers. His speech is being closely watched by diplomats present, as several countries are seeking to revive dialogue on the Iranian nuclear issue.

The war waged by Russia against Ukraine is also expected to feature prominently in the exchanges of this second day, more than three and a half years after the Russian invasion began. Leaders gathered in New York are expected to discuss prospects for resolving the conflict as well as international support for Kyiv.

Another topic on the day's agenda is artificial intelligence, whose regulation and international applications are drawing growing interest among member states as the technology reshapes global economic and security issues.

The General Assembly, which brings together representatives from the UN's 193 member states each September, will continue through September 28, with further speeches from heads of state expected in the coming days.