The annual United Nations General Assembly will kick off in New York Tuesday as leaders from around the world come together to discuss some of the most pressing global issues.
Every country's leader will get a chance to speak during the General Debate. But this year's session will also feature high-level summits and meetings on five topics: climate change, universal health coverage, sustainable development goals, financing for development, and supporting small island developing states.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is arguably the most unique of the five summits. Back in 2015, U.N. member states adopted a blueprint to guide global development efforts through 2030, also known as sustainable development goals.
There are 17 sustainable development goals, including no poverty, zero hunger, quality education and gender equality. The U.N. says it's seen progress on these goals over the last four years. But conflict, climate change, growing inequalities and other obstacles have limited the impact of global efforts.
The U.N. says the sustainable development goals summit will let leaders and other stakeholders discuss how to accelerate action to transform societies and economies around the globe as the 2030 deadline approaches.
The General Assembly is scheduled to last until Sept. 30.
