High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations

The anniversary meeting provides an opportunity to reflect on the Organization’s achievements and the evolving challenges it faces in a rapidly changing global landscape.

What: High-level plenary meeting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations

Speakers and Segments:

• Musical Performance by the Met Chorus Artists and the Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus conducted by Tilman Michael
• Opening Remarks by H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th UN General Assembly
• Screening of UN80 Commemoration video - Better Together
• Remarks by H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General
• Reflections by eminent speakers on the role of the United Nations
  • H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia
  • H.E. Ms. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Former Prime Minister of Norway
  • Ms. Maria Ressa, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• Poem Recitation by Ms. Maryam Bukar Hassan, UN Global Advocate for Peace

When: Monday, 22 September 2025, 9 AM-10 AM
Where: General Assembly Hall, United Nations Headquarters, New York

Streaming coverage (Live and on demand) is available in all 6 languages through UN WebTV  

Information for the Media: Please contact malu@un.org for escort to cover the event in-person.

For more information, visit the Website 

Media Contacts 

• La Neice Collins, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 917 721 9306, Email: collins3@un.org
• Nick Birnback, Director of Communications for the President of the General Assembly, M +1 929 301 0761, Email: birnbackn@un.org
• Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 361 4990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org