Latin America Arrives at the UN General Assembly With a Larger Diplomatic Agenda
From Brazil’s opening address to the race for the next UN secretary-general, Latin American governments are entering this year’s General Assembly amid wars, economic uncertainty and a changing international order.
NEW YORK — The United Nations General Assembly enters its high-level week on Tuesday with Latin America facing a particularly significant moment in international diplomacy.
The 81st session brings nearly 130 heads of state and government to New York, with the general debate scheduled from September 22 through September 26 and again on September 28. This year's official theme is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
For Latin American governments, however, the gathering is about more than speeches. The region arrives with a broad agenda involving trade, energy, climate policy, organized crime, migration, international security and the future of multilateral institutions.
Brazil opens the debate
Brazil will once again occupy the traditional first speaking position among member states during the General Debate.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is scheduled to address the Assembly on September 22, immediately before U.S. President Donald Trump. The traditional sequence gives Brazil an unusually prominent position during the opening of the most important diplomatic week at UN headquarters.
Lula's appearance comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Brazil's relationship with Washington. The two countries have faced disagreements involving trade, sanctions and broader diplomatic issues.
Brazil is also approaching its national election, adding a domestic political dimension to the president's international agenda. His New York schedule includes meetings with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.
Beyond bilateral relations, Brazil is expected to emphasize issues traditionally central to its international agenda, including climate change, food security, development and the role of multilateral institutions.
The region and the energy transition
Energy is emerging as one of the most consequential economic themes for Latin America at this year's gathering.
The region possesses significant resources in renewable energy and critical minerals, while countries across Latin America and the Caribbean are seeking investment in infrastructure and sustainable industries.
A high-level EU-Latin America and Caribbean dialogue scheduled during UNGA week will focus specifically on investment, competitiveness, renewable energy, critical minerals and resilient infrastructure. The event is designed to explore how international partnerships can translate the region's natural and industrial potential into economic development.
The discussion comes as governments worldwide reconsider energy security and supply chains.
For Latin America, the issue presents both an economic opportunity and a policy challenge: attracting investment while establishing stronger domestic industries and ensuring that the transition toward cleaner energy produces broader economic benefits.
A new chapter for the United Nations
One of the most consequential issues involving Latin America extends beyond the region itself.
The United Nations is preparing for a change in leadership.
António Guterres is approaching the end of his term as secretary-general, making this year's General Assembly his final high-level week in that position. The process to select his successor is already underway, but the UN Security Council has yet to reach a consensus.
Latin America has traditionally been considered the region expected to provide the next secretary-general.
The current field includes candidates from the region, and the selection process has attracted particular attention because the United Nations has never had a woman as secretary-general.
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet recently withdrew from the race, leaving several Latin American candidates still under consideration. Among those receiving significant attention are former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan and former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
The final decision will require agreement within the Security Council before the General Assembly formally appoints the next secretary-general.
Venezuela remains a regional concern
Venezuela is also expected to occupy an important place in the diplomatic conversations surrounding the General Assembly.
Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's interim president, is expected to participate in the New York meetings, while the country's relationship with Washington remains an important regional issue.
The United States and Venezuela have recently discussed energy arrangements, including agreements involving Venezuelan oil production. At the same time, Washington continues to frame Venezuela's political future as a major concern.
The issue extends beyond Caracas and Washington.
Latin American governments have different positions regarding Venezuela's political institutions, democratic process, sanctions and international recognition. Those differences are likely to appear in diplomatic discussions throughout the week.
Climate remains central
Climate change will also have a prominent place on the UN agenda.
A high-level meeting on climate action and a just transition is scheduled for September 23, followed the next day by a meeting addressing the existential threat posed by rising sea levels.
For Latin America and the Caribbean, climate diplomacy carries particular importance because the region includes countries highly exposed to extreme weather, rising temperatures, droughts, hurricanes and sea-level rise.
Small island states in the Caribbean have been among the strongest international advocates for more ambitious action on climate adaptation and financing.
The discussions at UNGA will therefore connect environmental policy with development, infrastructure and international financing.
Wars reshape the diplomatic agenda
Latin American leaders will also arrive in New York amid conflicts that extend far beyond the Western Hemisphere.
The wars involving Russia and Ukraine and the escalating conflict in the Middle East are expected to dominate discussions among world leaders. The international community is also confronting instability in Sudan, tensions involving Israel and the Palestinians and broader questions about the effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy.
For Latin American governments, these conflicts create difficult diplomatic choices.
The region has historically defended principles including national sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful dispute resolution and non-intervention. At the same time, individual governments differ considerably in how they interpret specific conflicts and relationships with the major powers.
The General Assembly provides a platform for those positions to be articulated publicly.
Artificial intelligence enters the conversation
Technology will be another major theme.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being treated as an international governance issue rather than simply a technological one. The UN has identified AI governance as one of the subjects receiving attention during this year's high-level week, alongside peace and security, climate and health.
For developing countries, the discussion includes questions of access.
Who controls advanced AI infrastructure? How can developing economies benefit from the technology? What rules should govern its use? And how can countries avoid creating a new technological divide?
Latin American governments are likely to approach these questions through the broader lens of development, education, digital infrastructure and economic competitiveness.
A region navigating a changing world
The 2026 General Assembly arrives at a moment when traditional diplomatic relationships are being tested.
The United States is reassessing elements of its international economic and security policy. China and Russia continue to expand their diplomatic and economic relationships across the Global South.
European governments are dealing with war and economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, countries across Latin America are seeking greater room to pursue independent foreign policies.
The region therefore enters the UN this week with several different objectives.
Some governments will prioritize economic opportunities. Others will focus on climate and development. Others will use the platform to address regional political disputes or strengthen relationships with major powers.
What connects them is the importance of the multilateral forum itself.
The General Assembly does not possess the same executive power as the UN Security Council, but it remains one of the world's largest diplomatic stages. With 193 member states holding an equal vote, it provides governments with an opportunity to establish positions, build coalitions and place regional concerns within the global agenda.
For Latin America, this year's meeting is therefore about more than what happens inside the General Assembly chamber.
It is also about defining how the region intends to navigate a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition, technological transformation, climate pressure and economic uncertainty.
And with the race for a new UN secretary-general underway, Latin America's diplomatic influence could extend well beyond this week's speeches.
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