Leaders from around the world returned to the New York Headquarters of the United Nations for the first fully in-person high-level week at the 78th session of the General Assembly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Known by insiders as UNGA 78, the world’s media also returned en masse to document summits, side-events, speeches, and corridor encounters during what is the busiest week of the year at the United Nations.

Every Member State of the UN can take to the podium in the storied General Assembly Hall. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine gave his first speech in person at the UN since the full-scale invasion of his country by Russia.

Among the key objectives of high-level week was to keep the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the top of the international agenda.

A two-day summit was held to look at ways to accelerate progress towards the 17 Goals. 

And SDG advocate and internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma provided some star power along with other celebrities, putting his voice…or music in this case…behind the Goals.

The presence of senior UN leadership at SDG events, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres (left) and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed are pictured here, underlined the importance of supporting Member States towards realizing the Goals.

The spotlight was also shone on the climate crisis and some of the most affected communities around the world voiced their opinions. Also, something of a first, those invited to speak were required to demonstrate credible plans to reduce the damaging emissions which are driving global warming.

Hundreds of events large and small as well as bilateral meetings involving visiting dignitaries take place during high-level week.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres attended many of those events and separately met dozens of global leaders.

After hearing from presidents, prime ministers, Heads of State, and other dignitaries this week, the general debate continues until Tuesday 26 September, after which the challenging work of UNGA 78 forges ahead.