Prime Minister Modi to Skip UN General Assembly Address This Month

Modi's Absence at the UN General Assembly

According to the updated provisional list of speakers released by the United Nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not address the General Debate at the upcoming high-level session of the UN General Assembly later this month. The 80th session of the UN General Assembly is set to commence on September 9, with the high-level General Debate scheduled from September 23 to 29. Brazil will traditionally kick off the session as the first speaker, followed by the United States. On September 23, U.S. President Donald Trump will address world leaders from the prestigious UNGA platform, marking his first address at the UN session during his second term in the White House.

Key Highlights of the 80th UN General Assembly Session

This session is commencing amid significant global crises, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and the situation in Ukraine. Brazil, as the traditional first speaker, will open the General Debate, followed by President Trump’s address on September 23, which will be his inaugural UN speech during his second term. Notable speakers on September 26 will include the heads of state from Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The theme for this year’s UN General Assembly is 'Together for Better: Peace, Development, and Human Rights for 80 Years and Beyond.'

India's Representation and the Broader UNGA Agenda

India will be represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, a seasoned diplomat who will articulate India’s perspective on global issues such as peace, development, and multilateral cooperation. In celebration of the UN's 80th anniversary, significant meetings will be held under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, including a climate summit and high-level discussions on gender equality, economic stability, AI governance, health, and minority rights. The UNGA remains the busiest diplomatic event of the year, providing a platform for collective solutions to global challenges.