UN General Assembly 2025

Background

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will open on September 9, at the UN Headquarters in New York City, under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.” The high-level debate will take place from September 22 to 30. France, Canada, Australia, and Malta have all announced their intention to recognize the state of Palestine during the General Assembly. The United Kingdom has also stated it will recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel abides by a ceasefire and commits to a two-state solution.

Several protests are being organized in response, in addition to localized disruptions. See the below analysis for more detail.

Analysis

Protesting

Several New York-based protests are being organized by various groups during the UNGA. It is probable that these protests will prompt further disruptions around the UN Headquarters and the wider New York City area.

The United Nations General Assembly often attracts protesting. The 78th UNGA, which took place in 2023, had several climate-related protests. An estimated 50,000-70,000 people participated in the “March to End Fossil Fuels.” Several protests took place in 2024 during the 79th UNGA, including anti-Iran protests, demonstrations against the Bangladeshi Interim Advisor Muhammad Yunus, and the People’s Climate March. Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israeli protests also took place near the UN Headquarters during the UNGA in 2024.

Pro-Palestine Protests

The group Within Our Lifetime Palestine has been organizing ongoing weekly demonstrations in front of the UN Headquarters, as well as consulates, including the consulates of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Israel. The group has also organized a national march to take place near the UN Headquarters in New York City on September 23 to coincide with the beginning of the UNGA high-level debate.

The Pro-Palestine group People Against Genocide Everywhere has also been actively mobilizing in support of a Uniting for Peace Resolution at the UN General Assembly, aimed at authorizing a protective force in Gaza. Their primary objective is to pressure governments to convene an Emergency Special Session of the UNGA. As a result, this group will likely organize protest actions around the UNGA.

Pro-Israeli groups in the United States, France, Australia, and Canada have condemned the recognition of Palestine as a state, citing concerns over the action prompting an increase in anti-Semitic violence. Although no protests or counter-protests have been planned so far, spontaneous demonstrations are possible.

Climate Protests

The organizations 350.org, Climate Defenders, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), and Women’s March are leading the “Make Billionaires Pay” march, scheduled for September 20. Over 100 organizations representing climate activism, migrant rights, and women’s rights will participate in the protest to advocate for climate and social justice. The coalition reflects a growing shift toward intersectional, grassroots mobilization as related to climate activism.

The main march is scheduled to take place in New York City to coincide with the UNGA, with simultaneous mobilizations expected across other US cities.

The group CODEPINK is also organizing a summit at the People’s Forum on September 18, under the name “Drawing the Line: At The Pentagon, For The Planet,” in anticipation of the “Make Billionaires Pay” march. The event is expected to take place at 9am local time and is described as a “movement-building mini-summit to share strategies, campaigns, and learn from one another.”

Anti-Iran Protests

The Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) has organized a campaign of protests against the presence of Iran’s delegation at the UNGA. The campaign is scheduled to take place from September 17-23, with daily picket lines in front of the UN Headquarters. The campaign will also feature photo exhibitions and candlelight vigils. The week of protests will culminate in a rally scheduled to take place on September 23 at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at 10am local time. Human rights activists, religious leaders, and prominent former US government officials are expected to speak at the event. Bipartisan members of Congress have also been invited to address the rally.

A second rally will be held at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on September 24, the day the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UNGA.

Event Security

Streets around the UN Headquarters have been restricted in the past, and are likely to be again. In previous years, major Midtown streets near the UN headquarters - including First Avenue, 42nd Street, portions of 44th, 46th, and 48th Streets - have been closed or limited to traffic.

The United Nations General Assembly is designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). The United States Secret Service is the lead agency responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing security operations for the event. The United Nations Security Service will implement security measures at and around the UN Headquarters, including external and internal security checkpoints, and establish screening areas and restricted zones to control access into areas surrounding the complex. The New York Police Department (NYPD) will deploy a large number of officers to coordinate traffic, pedestrian control, and provide a significant visible presence.

In previous years, several specific security measures have been implemented in and around the UN Headquarters to ensure the smooth operation of the UNGA, including the use of snipers, drones, sophisticated CCTV, and regular bomb sweeps in and around the UN complex. Previous sessions have also seen airspace restrictions established by the FAA and water access limitations around the East River.

Recognizing Palestine as a state

France, Canada, Australia, and Malta have announced plans to recognize Palestine as a state during the session. The UK has also stated that it plans to recognize Palestine as a state in September if Israel does not abide by certain conditions, including establishing a ceasefire.

Israel’s recent approval for taking military control of Gaza City indicates that Israel will not agree to the UK’s conditions, making it almost certain that the UK will also recognize Palestine as a state in September. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also issued several criticisms of these countries’ plans to recognize Palestine as a state.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that the administration has no plans to recognize Palestine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stated that the US rejects France’s plan to recognize Palestine. On August 26, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany would not join other states in recognizing Palestine at the UNGA. Given the US’s rejection of other countries' plans to reject Palestinian statehood, it is probable that the US would veto a vote on Palestinian statehood before it reaches the United Nations General Assembly, as a vote there would likely succeed.

Implications

While the recognition of a Palestinian state would likely create more diplomatic pressure on Israel and the US, it appears unlikely that this pressure would have any effect in altering the policy of either country.

The US has placed sanctions on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLA) due to their alleged continued support for Hamas; leaders from both organizations have had visas to the US denied. It is unclear whether the leaders will be able to attend the UNGA in September. The US has also imposed sanctions on members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), due to the approval of arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

These actions suggest that any country considering foreign policy decisions contrary to the interests of the US may be subject to retaliatory measures. While it is unlikely that any state would face sanctions, it is possible that trade negotiations and tariffs could be influenced as a result.

Given Israel’s recent decision to continue its military campaign to take control of Gaza City, in an effort to fully eliminate Hamas, it is unlikely that the recognition of Palestine by several states will influence Israel’s decision-making process. Israel has stated that a conclusion to the war would have to include Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip, the demilitarization of the area, and the creation of a civil authority that does not include Hamas or the PA.

Recognizing Palestine as a State

Implications

Resources

Analysis