Ukrainian President to Address UN General Assembly in Person for the First Time
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska have embarked on their official visit to the United States to participate in the events of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as reported by the official presidential website.
Discussions at the assembly will encompass the Ukraine conflict, climate change, and support for the Global South.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will personally address the first session on Tuesday to garner support against Russian aggression.
On the first day of his visit to New York, President Zelensky visited the Staten Island University Hospital, where Ukrainian servicemen wounded in action receive treatment and rehabilitation. He interacted with the servicemen and wished them a speedy recovery, also awarding them with the Order of Courage, 3rd class.
Olena Zelenska took part in a high-level event on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly, titled "International Equal Pay Day 2023: Advocating for Equal Pay – Recognizing Achievements and Addressing Challenges." During this event, she discussed the situation regarding equal pay for Ukrainian women, emphasizing that the fight for equal pay continues in Ukraine even during wartime.
This year, four out of five leaders of the permanent members of the UN Security Council will be absent from the General Assembly. China is sending a delegation, while the leaders of the other three permanent members—Russia, the United Kingdom, and France—will not be present.
Therefore, the only leader of a permanent UN Security Council member attending the Assembly will be U.S. President Joe Biden. According to his national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, Biden "aims to use this trip to advance U.S. interests and values on a range of issues, from mobilizing financial resources for the Global South for development and infrastructure needs to spurring cooperation on climate crisis, strengthening global support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity as it defends against Russia's brutal invasion."
The 78th session of the UN General Assembly officially commenced on September 5th.