• The Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, left, the Prime Minister of Fiji Frank Bainimarama, second from left, the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, second from right, and the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir participate in a press event at U.N. headquarters. The countries were announcing a new initiative on climate change and trade. AP Photo
    The Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, left, the Prime Minister of Fiji Frank Bainimarama, second from left, the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, second from right, and the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir participate in a press event at U.N. headquarters. The countries were announcing a new initiative on climate change and trade. AP Photo
  • Hungary's President Janos Ader, left, meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the 74th session of the U.N. General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters. AP Photo
    Hungary's President Janos Ader, left, meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the 74th session of the U.N. General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters. AP Photo
  • Costa Rica's President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, left, meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the 74th session of the U.N. General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters. AP Photo
    Costa Rica's President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, left, meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the 74th session of the U.N. General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters. AP Photo
  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy listens during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, New York, U.S. REUTERS
    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy listens during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, New York, U.S. REUTERS
  • The Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, left, talks with the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir before a news event at U.N. headquarters. The countries were announcing a new initiative on climate change and trade. AP Photo
    The Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, left, talks with the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir before a news event at U.N. headquarters. The countries were announcing a new initiative on climate change and trade. AP Photo
  • Chile's President Sebastian Pinera, left, meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the 74th session of the U.N. General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters. AP Photo
    Chile's President Sebastian Pinera, left, meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the 74th session of the U.N. General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters. AP Photo
  • Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, second from left, is swarmed for selfies after a speech at the Asia Society, during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. AP Photo
    Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, second from left, is swarmed for selfies after a speech at the Asia Society, during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. AP Photo
  • Chad's President Idriss Deby Itno addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. AP Photo
    Chad's President Idriss Deby Itno addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. AP Photo
  • Columbia's President Ivan Duque Marquez addresses the General Debate of the 74th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA. The annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations runs until 30 September 2019. EPA
    Columbia's President Ivan Duque Marquez addresses the General Debate of the 74th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA. The annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations runs until 30 September 2019. EPA
  • Ivan Duque, Colombia's president, speaks during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, U.S. Colombia will give the UN a 128-page dossier that contains evidence that "demonstrates the complicity of the regime of Nicolas Maduro with terrorist cartels that attack Colombians," said Duque. Bloomberg
    Ivan Duque, Colombia's president, speaks during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, U.S. Colombia will give the UN a 128-page dossier that contains evidence that "demonstrates the complicity of the regime of Nicolas Maduro with terrorist cartels that attack Colombians," said Duque. Bloomberg
  • Barham Salih, Iraq's president, speaks during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, U.S. During a meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA, President Trump and Salih discussed how best to enhance U.S.-Iraq partnerships in security, trade and energy. Bloomberg
    Barham Salih, Iraq's president, speaks during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, U.S. During a meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA, President Trump and Salih discussed how best to enhance U.S.-Iraq partnerships in security, trade and energy. Bloomberg
  • Iran's President Hassan Rouhani meets with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S. REUTERS
    Iran's President Hassan Rouhani meets with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S. REUTERS
  • Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe laughs as President Donald Trump speaks before signing an agreement on trade at the InterContinental Barclay New York hotel during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. AP Photo
    Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe laughs as President Donald Trump speaks before signing an agreement on trade at the InterContinental Barclay New York hotel during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. AP Photo
  • Hassan Rouhani, Iran's president, speaks during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, U.S. Rouhani said his government would refuse to enter negotiations with the U.S. while still under what he called "merciless economic terrorism" against its people by President Donald Trump's administration. Bloomberg
    Hassan Rouhani, Iran's president, speaks during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, U.S. Rouhani said his government would refuse to enter negotiations with the U.S. while still under what he called "merciless economic terrorism" against its people by President Donald Trump's administration. Bloomberg
  • Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's first lady, left, attends the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, U.S. Donald Trump asked Ukraine President Zelenskiy to work with his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and the U.S. attorney general, William Barr, to "look into" Joe Biden, according to a memo documenting a call between the two leaders released Wednesday. Bloomberg
    Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's first lady, left, attends the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, U.S. Donald Trump asked Ukraine President Zelenskiy to work with his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and the U.S. attorney general, William Barr, to "look into" Joe Biden, according to a memo documenting a call between the two leaders released Wednesday. Bloomberg
  • Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations in New York. AFP
    Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations in New York. AFP

World

UN General Assembly Live: Iran's Rouhani gives fiery speech

Iraq's Prime Minister Barham Salih made an impassioned plea to spare the region from war

The National

September 25, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The General Debate is the most hotly anticipated part of the UN General Assembly.

Every leader of a UN nation is given 15 minutes to discuss their take on world affairs, though they often overrun.

In a fiery speech, Iran's Prime Minister Hassan Rouhani ruled out nuclear negotiations with US President Donald Trump while sanctions remained.

While Iraq's Prime Minister Barham Salih made an impassioned plea to spare his country and the region another war.

Stay with us for updates:

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