The General Debate will continue from September 22 to 26, with another session scheduled for September 28.
US President Donald Trump addressed the UN General Assembly, speaking about the war with Iran, global peace and US foreign policy. He defended US actions against Iran and outlined his position on ongoing international conflicts.
Trump said Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a great person and claimed that Shehbaz had said Trump saved the lives of 30 million people by stopping the war.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in what was described as his final General Assembly address, called for an end to global conflicts, effective regulation of artificial intelligence, action against climate change and reforms within UN institutions. He also reiterated support for diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also arrived in New York to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.
Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 25. His speech is expected to cover regional and global security, negotiations, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
The prime minister is also expected to present Pakistan's position on Kashmir and Palestine, terrorism, Islamophobia, climate change, sustainable development and global economic challenges. He is also expected to hold meetings with several world leaders during his visit.
Trump Issues Strong Warning to Iran at UN General Assembly
US President Donald Trump said the United States is stronger than ever, while defending US military action against Iran and accusing Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism.
Trump began his address by highlighting America's economic and military strength, saying the United States had returned and was stronger than ever.
He claimed that more money had been spent on the US military during the past 12 months than ever before and said spending would reach $1.5 trillion during the current period.
Speaking about Iran, Trump said Tehran had been allowed to accumulate power that could pose a threat to the world, but claimed the United States had acted to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump said the decision now rests with Iran to either reach an agreement that would allow the country to rebuild or face further US action.
The US president said he believed an agreement with Iran was possible if Tehran ended its nuclear program and support for terrorism. He also urged countries around the world to maintain maximum economic pressure on Iran.
Trump further claimed that Iran was waiting for the results of the US midterm elections in November, but said the elections would not affect US policy toward Iran.
He said the United States would not hesitate to use military force if necessary to protect its national interests. Trump also highlighted his administration's performance in the economic, security and technology sectors, saying the United States was leading in almost every field.
Trump also spoke about measures against illegal immigration and claimed that US borders are now more secure than at any point in the country's history.
Shortly after Trump began discussing US actions against Iran, members of the Iranian delegation attending the General Assembly left the hall. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were not present in the hall to listen to Trump's speech.
Trump's remarks came amid discussions about the possibility of renewed diplomatic contacts between the United States and Iran.
Iran has said that if the United States reduces military pressure and lifts the blockade of Iranian ports, Tehran could discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also not ruled out the possibility of negotiations.
