UN Watch

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, laying out what Iran describes as its red lines on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. His speech touched on Tehran's position that it does not seek nuclear arms while pressing its grievances against Israel and outlining its stance on stability across the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is delivering a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with the address carried live by Associated Press coverage. The remarks come amid ongoing international attention to the war in Gaza and Israel's standing on the world stage, drawing a large audience watching the full address as it happens.

Finland's President delivered a widely shared address at the United Nations, framing the current state of global disorder. The speech is being promoted as essential viewing for understanding today's international tensions and breakdown of norms, with viewers around the world amplifying its key points about the state of world affairs.

Russia and Germany have held their first high-level diplomatic talks since 2022, taking place on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a significant thaw in relations that had been frozen since Germany shifted its stance after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Observers are watching closely for signs of whether the contact signals a broader diplomatic opening between Berlin and Moscow.

A human rights activist addressing the United Nations highlighted alleged human rights violations while dismissing an interjection from Pakistan's representative. The exchange, captured on video, shows the speaker continuing their statement despite the interruption. The incident is drawing attention to ongoing rights concerns raised at UN forums and to how such objections from member states are handled during proceedings.

Russia's Foreign Minister has addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The annual debate brings world leaders and top diplomats to the UN headquarters each September. The Russian minister's speech is being closely watched for signals of Moscow's position on the war in Ukraine and its wider relations with the West.

World leaders are gathering at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss maritime security and the protection of key international trade lanes and defense zones. Discussions focus on whether UN diplomacy can restore stability along shipping routes seen as vital to global commerce. Commentators are watching to see what concrete commitments on naval cooperation and global stability emerge from the assembly.

The watchdog group UN Watch has condemned the UN's decision to expand its blacklist of companies operating in Israeli settlements, arguing the list unfairly targets Israeli firms and politicises human rights mechanisms. The move reignites long-running disputes over the legitimacy of settlement-related listings and the UN Human Rights Council's treatment of Israel.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats have met at the United Nations in their first talks since 2022, when relations collapsed following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks the highest-level direct contact between the two governments in over two years. It signals a possible thaw, or at least a channel for crisis communication, between Moscow and a leading European Union and NATO member state.

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has continued into its fifth day of general debate, with world leaders addressing delegates in the Assembly Hall at UN headquarters in New York. The annual debate is one of the UN's most closely watched events, drawing speeches from heads of state and government on global priorities, conflicts and cooperation.

Nepal's Foreign Minister met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in talks covering the country's human rights situation. The meeting signals continued engagement between Nepal and the UN's top human rights body, though details of what was discussed have not been widely reported yet. Observers are watching for outcomes on rights commitments and cooperation.