UN leaders to meet virtually; Trump might attend in person

  annual meeting of world leers at United Nations is going virtual this year for first time in its 75-year history because of COVID-19 pandemic — except for likely personal appearance by President Donald Trump.

“We’re hoping that President Trump will actually be speaking in person in General Assembly,” Kelly Craft, U.S. ambassor to United Nations, said Thursday, ding that he will be “ only” leer to speak in assembly chamber.

In past years, thousands of people have flocked to New York for annual meeting of world leers at General Assembly, kwn as General Debate. During weeklong garing, presidents, prime ministers, monarchs and foreign ministers from 193 U.N. member nations deliver a formal dress, but much of real action takes place at hundreds of side events and private meetings, lunches and dinners.

Because of COVID-19, General Assembly members agreed this month to have each country’s leer deliver a prerecorded speech that will be brocast in assembly chamber with a small number of New York-based diplomats allowed to be present. Just a few side events will be permitted.

speeches will start as scheduled on Sept. 22, but will be preceded by an event on Sept. 21 marking U.N.’s 75th anniversary. me: “ Future We Want, U.N. We Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism.”

At that event, assembly members will formally opt a declaration to commemorate 75th anniversary that diplomats agreed on in early July. It recalls U.N.’s successes and failures and vows to build a post-pandemic world that is more equal, works toger and protects planet.

Craft said that this year’s meeting is “even more special” because of anniversary and that it’s important for occasion to be amplified by all U.N. member nations.

For United States, she said, “we’re going to be focused on human rights issues, on transparency and on accountability.”