Sudani to attend UN General Assembly in New York

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani will travel to New York on Saturday to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), his office announced on Friday. 

Sudani will deliver a speech before the assembly and at the Summit of the Future, “which will be attended by many heads of state and presidents, and is concerned with enhancing cooperation, facing challenges, and affirming commitments,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. 

“Sudani will hold a series of meetings and dialogues with a number of leaders and presidents of sisterly and friendly countries, and heads of participating delegations, in addition to meeting with the secretary-general of the United Nations, and a number of officials of international and UN organizations and bodies,” the statement added. 

The Summit of the Future will be held on September 22 and 23 to “address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks,” according to the UN.

The theme for this year’s week-long general assembly is "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”

The annual gathering of world leaders is happening as conflicts rage in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and the world is failing to meet emission reduction goals as it combats climate change. 

“Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development,” the UN said on its website.