Dhaka, Sep 20 (V7N) – World leaders will gather at the United Nations headquarters in New York starting Sunday for the annual assembly, set against a tense backdrop of escalating wars, rising populism, and diplomatic stalemate. The assembly’s high-level week will spotlight pressing global issues, including the war in Gaza, mounting Middle East tensions, famine in Sudan, and the protracted conflict in Ukraine.

Despite these challenges, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed optimism, assuring that the world can "avoid moving to World War Three." He acknowledged, however, the growing sense of impunity and the multiplication of conflicts across the globe.

The timing of the gathering is critical, said Washington's UN envoy, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, noting the increasing number of crises demanding urgent attention. She emphasized that cynicism is not an option, despite the daunting scale of global problems.

While it's unclear how much the assembly can accomplish for those affected by conflict and poverty, leaders like Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, and Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian will bring the Gaza war to the forefront of discussions. Richard Gowan from the International Crisis Group suggests that despite diplomatic efforts, there may be little impact on events on the ground.

The Gaza war, which began with Hamas's retaliatory attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in over 41,272 Palestinian deaths according to the health ministry in Gaza, with the UN confirming the reliability of these figures. Concerns are growing that the conflict could spread to Lebanon after a series of explosions targeted Hezbollah communications earlier this week.

Kicking off the assembly, Guterres will host the "Summit of the Future," his flagship initiative to address future global challenges. The summit will see leaders, including India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adopt a pact on tackling pressing global issues, though many observers have criticized the draft as lacking ambition.

Despite the criticism, Guterres insists the summit holds value, highlighting the urgency to address rapid geopolitical shifts, conflicts, and crises such as climate change and inequality.

Following the summit, the UN's 193 members will address each other in the high-level week, beginning with Brazil and followed by the United States. President Joe Biden is expected to address ceasefire talks in Gaza among other global concerns.

While leaders from China and Russia will be absent, notable attendees include Britain’s Keir Starmer, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Zelensky, who commanded the spotlight in 2023, may find it challenging to maintain the same level of attention this year as he presents his "plan for victory."

As the event approaches, New York is bracing for heightened security, road closures, and traffic disruptions caused by the influx of VIP motorcades.

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