Blog

The Assembly is expected to take action on draft resolutions and decisions on myriad of topics. Among the topics: Fourth Industrial Development Decade for Africa (2026–2035); the Progress Declaration of the International Migration Review Forum; promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace; and strengthening regional cooperation and economic integration to ensure sustainable development in the Central Asian region. Also: the peaceful settlement of border disputes and the role and importance of a policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development; advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change; and global health and foreign policy: accelerating the fight against diseases driven by social determinants of health.

At 10 a.m., the Security Council will hold an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Director of the Crisis Response Division at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Edem Wosornu; and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger are expected to brief.

At 3 p.m., the General Assembly's Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) will discuss improving the UN's financial situation following the UN Controller's semi-annual presentation of the UN's finances A/80/440/Add.1 on 7 May.

The Security Council will hold a briefing at 3 p.m. on Middle East at the request of Bahrain, following a reported drone strike on 17 May near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is expected to brief. In a statement, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm over reports that drone strikes set fire to an electrical generator within the plant’s perimeter, recalling that he had "consistently warned" against any further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. "This incident provides yet another reason for all sides to halt the fighting completely," he said, emphasizing that attacks to nuclear installations are a violation of international law and must be condemned.

The Security Council will hold a briefing at 10 a.m. on Ukraine at the request of that country, following reports of intensified drone and missile strikes on civilians and critical infrastructure in recent weeks. Kayoko Gotoh, Director and Officer-in-Charge for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, and Edem Wosornu, Director of the Crisis Response Division at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, are expected to brief.

At 10 a.m., the Security Council will address the political and humanitarian situations in Syria. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher are expected to brief.

The UN Forum on Forests will begin its twenty-first session, which will run from 11 to 15 May. In the morning, the Forum Chair, Economic and Social Council President, President of the General Assembly and Assistant-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs will make opening remarks. The launch of the Global Forest Goals Report 2026 will follow.

At 10 a.m., the Security Council will hold a debate on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with High Representative Christian Schmidt expected to brief on the latest report of his office.

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) meets on the UN financial situation.