Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other leaders will arrive in New York next week fully prepared to address the UNGA conference, which began at the beginning of September when small businesses, organisations, and growing charities were given the podium to speak. (Photo: UN boss António Guterres will open the summit).

Next week, President Donald John Trump will be the first head of state, normally the case for the American President, to speak at the UNGA conference after the UN Secretary-General António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres has kicked off the conference officially.

While world leaders are usually happily elated and preparing to alight at the UNGA in New York, this year there is one distinct fake leader whose illegitimacy has become a stumbling block that could make him feel less delighted to attend the UN General Assembly.

That reluctant individual is Sierra Leone’s illegal President Julius Maada Bio, who is still having nightmares about whether he could summon the courage to attend the summit or whether he is not brave enough to attend the conference due to many obvious reasons, including personal security.

Despite still having Sierra Leone’s seat vacant at the UNGA, Maada Bio, who is noted for fraudulently stealing the June 24, 2023 elections in Sierra Leone, is not feeling confident about attending for fear that he might be arrested for failing to hand over power in peace to the President-elect Dr Samura Kamara. (Photo: Coward Maada Bio is afraid to go to the UN).

Bio is a coward of unrivalled personality in Africa and the world. And because Bio is so visibly scared of visiting New York for the UN Summit, the Sierra Leone seat will probably be vacant unless the UN seat is filled by an SLPP Ambassador-designate in America.

Whatever the case may be, the people of Sierra Leone will surely dislike seeing Maada Bio at the UN. Let alone see him take the podium to make a speech, which he does not deserve to make, because such an accolade is not fit to be given to an illegal and barbaric president.

Bio is running from his shadow as his nightmare continues to scare him. The UN summit began a fortnight ago for the small charities and business groups, when mob justice Fatima Jabbe Bio attended and gave an ironic speech on girls’ freedom. But the real summit starts next week.

It is understood that coward Bio may not attend the UN summit because he thinks he does not need to be there, as the threat of an arrest for crimes against humanity or for electoral fraud is possible. Most importantly, Bio’s presence at the UN will not change the political transition process in Sierra Leone.

World Leaders to Gather in New York for 81^st Session of the UN General Assembly

World leaders will gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York in September for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, with a series of high-level meetings focused on accelerating sustainable development and strengthening international cooperation in response to global challenges.

The 81st session will open on 8 September 2026 under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh will serve as President of the General Assembly for the session.

The General Assembly High-level Week will bring together Heads of State and Government, senior officials, and other stakeholders to revitalise global cooperation, advance the Sustainable Development Goals, and promote collective action for peace, dignity, equality, and a healthy planet.

A key focus will be the SDG Moment on 18 September. Convened by the UN Secretary-General, the annual event will showcase transformative efforts by communities, countries, and regions and explore ways to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals amid mounting global challenges.

The General Debate will begin on 22 September and continue through 28 September, providing a global platform for leaders to set out their priorities and perspectives on pressing international issues and the future of multilateral cooperation. Several high-level meetings will take place alongside the General Debate.

On 23 September, leaders will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, reaffirming the importance of inclusive, equitable, and participatory development. A high-level event on climate action and the just transition will also take place that day, focusing on accelerating the energy transition, strengthening energy security, and advancing climate justice.

On 24 September, a high-level meeting will address the existential threats posed by sea-level rise, with particular attention to small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas. On 25 September, a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response will follow, expected to culminate in the approval of an action-oriented political declaration.

The high-level period will also include a meeting on 28 September marking the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and, on 29 September, a high-level plenary meeting commemorating the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

During the high-level period, the SDG Media Zone, from 21 to 25 September, will feature interviews and discussions highlighting solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals Lounge, running from 14 to 25 September, will provide another space for dialogue, exchanges, and interactive discussions on global priorities.

The 81st session comes at a critical moment for international cooperation, offering Member States an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen multilateral action, and translate global commitments into tangible progress for people and the planet.

Provisional Schedule

• Opening of the 81st session: 8 September 2026 | A/INF/81/1
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Moment: 18 September 2026 | A/RES/74/4
• General debate: from 22 September to 26 September, and on 28 September 2026
• High-level meeting to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development: 23 September 2026 | A/RES/80/207
• High-level meeting on climate action and the just transition: 23 September 2026
• High-level meeting to address the existential threats posed by sea level rise: 24 September 2026 | A/78/L.101
• High-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response: 25 September 2026 | A/RES/79/333
• High-level meeting to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action: 28 September 2026 | A/RES/80/193 and A/RES/80/299
• High-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons: 29 September 2026 | A/RES/80/49

Courtesy: social.desa.un.org