UNGA OPENS AMID GLOBAL CRISES

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World leaders are gathering in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly as international attention focuses on the wars in Ukraine and Iran, instability in the Middle East, global security, economic pressures and the future of international cooperation.

The high-level General Debate begins on September 22, bringing together presidents, prime ministers, vice presidents and senior government officials from around the world. The gathering provides an opportunity for countries to address major international challenges while holding bilateral meetings on security, trade, investment, development and diplomacy.

United States President Donald Trump is expected to have a particularly busy schedule, with meetings involving leaders from several regions. The Russia-Ukraine war and the continuing instability in the Middle East are among the major issues surrounding this year's gathering. Reuters reports that Trump is scheduled to meet numerous foreign leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as diplomatic efforts continue around the conflicts.

The Ukraine crisis remains one of the major international issues at the assembly. Zelenskyy has travelled to the United States for the UN meetings and is expected to engage with Trump and other international leaders. Russia and Ukraine have also continued exchanging missile and drone attacks, underscoring the difficulty of achieving a lasting settlement.

The situation in the Middle East is another major focus. The assembly is taking place against the backdrop of continuing tensions involving Iran and other regional actors, making diplomacy and international security central themes of discussions among participating governments.

For Nigeria, however, attention has also turned to the absence of President Bola Tinubu from the gathering.

Tinubu will not personally attend the 81st UN General Assembly, marking the third consecutive UNGA session he has missed since attending the 2023 gathering. Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria's delegation and is expected to deliver the country's national statement and participate in high-level diplomatic engagements.

The Presidency has defended the decision, saying Tinubu's absence does not diminish Nigeria's diplomatic standing or its role in international affairs. Presidential officials said the President is currently on a working vacation and that Shettima has been given the mandate to represent him at the assembly.

Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has similarly argued that the country remains adequately represented. He noted that senior officials, including Shettima and Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, are participating in the high-level session.

Despite the government's explanation, Tinubu's absence has generated political debate in Nigeria. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the repeated decision not to attend personally, arguing that presidential participation at major international gatherings can provide opportunities for direct engagement with foreign leaders, investors and development partners. The Federal Government has rejected the criticism and maintained that Nigeria's interests are being represented.

The wider UN gathering therefore comes at a significant moment for international diplomacy. With conflicts, economic pressures and geopolitical tensions dominating discussions, governments are expected to use the assembly to defend their national interests while seeking areas of cooperation.

For Nigeria, the coming days will show how effectively its delegation uses the platform to advance the country's diplomatic, economic and security priorities while President Tinubu remains away from the meeting.

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