From podiums to patrols: Taking the pulse of the UN’s busiest week

A delegate poses in front of the UNGA sign.

UNGA or the UN General Assembly is marking its 80th year in 2025.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Thousands of people from around the world have attended UNGA80.

UN Photo/Mark Garten

The UN crest is pictured in the General Assembly Hall.

The General Debate of the UN, where all countries get to speak, is held in the General Assembly Hall. It continues until Monday night.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

A delegate sits on the floor of the General Assembly Hall.

The GA, as it’s often known, is frequently packed during the most significant moments; At least one delegate found space on the stairway into the hall.

UN Photo/Manuel Elías

A UN Security Officer patrols UN Headquarters with his K-9 partner Hana.

Security is always heightened during high-level week and the UN K-9 unit has regularly been on patrol.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

A journalist reports from the UN campus during the 80th Session of the General Assembly.

Hundreds of journalists have reported from UNHQ; Some were able to find locations with an impressive – if perhaps a bit cliched – backdrop of Midtown Manhattan’s skyscrapers.

United Nations/Maria Renee Luque

A view of a UN staff member's pins on the first day of the 80th General Assembly Debate.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which underpin the global effort to create a fairer world were once again a focus of the week.

UN Photo/Manuel Elías

Delegates look out over the East River from UN Headquarters.

The work of the UN continues well beyond high-level week, but for now delegates can take a moment out to relax in the sumptuous but cozy lounge overlooking New York’s East River.

UN Photo/Laura Jarriel