UN General Assembly 2026: Giorgia Meloni delegates Antonio Tajani for participation in New York

The most politically important moment is the so-called High-Level Week, scheduled for 18 to 28 September 2026. During these days, New York hosts numerous heads of state and government, ministers, diplomats and representatives of international organizations. The central moment is the General Debate, which begins on September 22nd and continues until September 26th, with a final day on September 28th. It is during this debate that leaders present their priorities and positions on major global issues to the international community.

The 81st Assembly takes place in an international context characterized by wars, geopolitical tensions, humanitarian crises and difficulties in cooperation between States. The discussion therefore inevitably focuses on international security, ongoing conflicts, the prevention of wars and the role of multilateral institutions. Alongside security, for the UN, the issues of sustainable development, the fight against poverty, inequalities, climate change and the protection of human rights remain central. The objective of the presidency is to try to transform the political confrontation into a greater UN capacity to produce concrete results.

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Among the events scheduled during the "high-level" week is the so-called SDG Moment, dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. It is scheduled to be held on 18 September. A high-level meeting will also be held on 23 September on climate action and just transition, i.e. a transition towards a more sustainable economy that also takes into account the social and economic consequences. These appointments are important to evaluate the progress made towards the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and discuss how to accelerate its implementation.

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For Italy, the General Assembly is an opportunity to present its diplomatic priorities and discuss with European and international partners. Indeed, among the topics of greatest interest are European and international security, crises in the Mediterranean, conflicts, migration, climate change, sustainable development and the reform of the multilateral system. Italian participation must also be considered in the context of cooperation with other EU member states, especially on international dossiers in which the Union seeks to express common positions.

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The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, barring last-minute second thoughts, will not go to the UN General Assembly at the end of September. Representing Italy in New York will be Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. A decision confirmed by government sources, who explain how this orientation had already been publicly indicated by the Prime Minister herself last 8 July, at the end of the NATO summit, when she explained the decision to delegate participation in subsequent international events to Foreign Minister Tajani with these words: ''Not out of disengagement, but because I come from various international summits and I have the obligation to deal with various dossiers in Italy too''. A choice that does not need to be justified or defended, added the same sources, recalling that in recent years the absences of, among others, the then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have been recorded.

For further information on Insider: Has the long-standing Meloni government convinced Europe?