World leaders gather for second day of UNGA 80th session in New York

World leaders gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday as the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) moved into its second day.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb were among those who arrived at the UN for the high-level debate.

Wednesday’s lineup of speakers includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The war in Gaza dominated discussions on the opening day, with several leaders urging an immediate halt to Israeli strikes and demanding the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

On Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging address in which he denounced immigration, climate change, and the UN itself. However, he later expressed support for Ukraine reclaiming control of its territory from Russia.

Speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, Trump expanded on his remarks, warning that he was prepared to impose heavy tariffs on Russia if it refused to end the war in Ukraine. He added that Russia’s war in Ukraine is “not making Russia look good.”