# 81st UN General Assembly participation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/81st-un-general-assembly-participation > Updated: 2026-09-20T11:50:22.000Z. Sources: 74. Developments: 3. World leaders are preparing to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York under the theme ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All’. This assembly marks the final time Secretary-General António Guterres will open the General Assembly before his term concludes at the end of the year. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is scheduled to deliver the opening speech on Tuesday, September 22, maintaining a tradition established in 1955. His address is expected to emphasize multilateralism, national sovereignty, the protection of democratic institutions, and the use of international law to resolve global disputes. His speech arrives amid heightened tensions with the United States, following criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Brazil’s efforts to combat drug trafficking involving the PCC and Comando Vermelho criminal factions. Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam arrived in New York on September 20, 2026, to participate in the high-level general debate. During his scheduled address, he is expected to share lessons from Vietnam’s 40 years of ‘Doi moi’ (Renewal) and propose initiatives concerning climate change, sustainable development, and future technology governance. As part of his diplomatic mission, which runs through September 25, 2026, To Lam will engage in bilateral activities in the United States and conduct a state visit to Canada at the invitation of Governor General Louise Arbour. In the U.S., discussions are expected to focus on high-tech cooperation, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and energy. This follows significant economic growth, with bilateral trade reaching approximately US$137.42 billion in the first eight months of 2026—a 23.4% year-on-year increase—positioning Vietnam as the fifth-largest trading partner of the U.S. ## Claims - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will travel to New York to participate in the 81st UN General Assembly. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Lula's speech is expected to focus on multilateralism, UN reform, peace negotiations, and fighting poverty and hunger. (corroborated by 25 sources) - President Lula is scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday, September 22. (corroborated by 25 sources) - President Lula is scheduled to deliver the opening speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, September 22. (corroborated by 23 sources) - New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has requested a bilateral meeting with President Lula. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The meeting between Lula and Mamdani is not yet officially confirmed on the presidential agenda. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The Brazilian delegation includes Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and ministers Esther Dweck, Eloy Terena, and Rachel Barros de Oliveira. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira will lead a meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty in New York. (corroborated by 18 sources) - To Lam is scheduled to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. (corroborated by 13 sources) - To Lam serves as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the country. (corroborated by 12 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-20: To Lam arrives in New York for UN General Assembly and U.S. visit Vietnamese leader To Lam has arrived in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, with plans for bilateral meetings in the U.S. and a state visit to Canada to bolster international and economic ties. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-president-to-lam-to-visit-us-and-canada ### 2026-09-17: To Lam departs for UNGA 81, US activities, and Canada state visit Vietnamese leader To Lam is on a diplomatic mission to the UN, the US, and Canada from Sept 20-25, 2026, to strengthen multilateral ties and bilateral strategic partnerships. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/to-lam-to-attend-81st-un-general-assembly-in-new-york ### 2026-09-16: Lula da Silva travels to New York for 81st UN General Assembly President Lula da Silva will attend the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, where a bilateral meeting with Mayor Zohran Mamdani is under consideration. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-leaders-to-meet-nyc-mayor-zohran-mamdani-in-new-york --- Cite as: 81st UN General Assembly participation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/81st-un-general-assembly-participation