Sunday 21 / September / 2025
New York: The United Nations (UN) General Assembly convenes its 80th session general debate on Tuesday, with international attention firmly focused on the Palestinian cause as numerous countries move toward recognising Palestinian statehood. The session will also address other pressing global concerns.
World leaders gathering for this session will seek solutions to worldwide challenges under the theme " Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights," with aims to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The session's agenda, running from 23-29 September 2025, includes critical discussions on implementing the two-state solution for Palestine, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Iran's nuclear programme, the Sudan crisis, the situation in Syria, and US-Venezuela relations within an increasingly unstable global landscape. Additional priority topics encompass artificial intelligence (AI) governance, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health initiatives, and gender equality advancement.
Eight decades after its establishment, the UN continues to serve as the principal forum where nations address differences and establish common ground to shape their collective future.
The "Implementing the Two-State Solution" conference held in July produced the New York Declaration, calling for practical measures to support Palestinian statehood. This declaration has paved the way for several nations to declare their intention to recognise Palestine during the current session.
France has confirmed its unconditional recognition of a Palestinian state, while multiple other countries—including Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra, San Marino, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Malta—have indicated similar intentions. Some have attached conditions related to political reforms and Palestinian elections, while others have not set preconditions.
Diplomatic tensions arose earlier this month when the United States delayed visa issuance for Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) officials, resulting in the General Assembly approving arrangements for virtual Palestinian participation in session proceedings.
These developments, combined with the escalating situation in Gaza, Israel's continued challenges to international norms and human rights protocols, and the expanding regional impact of the conflict, have stimulated fresh international and regional initiatives to translate diplomatic statements into concrete action through interim measures and standardised reporting mechanisms to assess implementation progress.
The general debate is expected to produce additional supportive positions, with more countries likely to announce formal recognition of Palestinian statehood based on previously stated commitments. The United Nations continues its drive to promote peace efforts grounded in the two-state solution.
As of early September 2025, 147 of the 193 UN member states have recognised Palestine as a sovereign state. International attention now turns to this significant UN session and its potential outcomes—particularly regarding peace prospects, human rights protection, settlement activities, war violations, and the recognition of Palestinian statehood.
