Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to commence his official program in New York on Wednesday, during the high-level week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. The highlight of his visit will be his speech at the General Assembly on September 28, while he also has a packed schedule of meetings on the sidelines.
This year's high-level week centers around the theme “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”
As usual, Lavrov’s schedule during his UN visit will be meticulously planned. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, has already announced a series of bilateral meetings for Lavrov, including a conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Lavrov will also participate in multilateral formats such as BRICS, the G20, and the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov emphasized the breadth of Lavrov’s engagements, noting that his agenda will not focus solely on Ukraine. Ryabkov described the General Assembly as “beginning with high energy,” predicting that it will demonstrate to Russia's adversaries that the world does not revolve around the Ukraine issue alone.
Summit of the Future
The high-level week was preceded by the Summit of the Future, an event aimed at bringing together global leaders, experts, and civil society to discuss shared challenges and seek collective solutions.
During the Summit, member states adopted the key document—the Pact for the Future—though some nations, including Russia, expressed objections. Russia, Belarus, and Nicaragua proposed an amendment based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, which was rejected by a General Assembly vote.
Russia distanced itself from the consensus on this document and the Global Digital Compact, especially regarding disarmament provisions and the involvement of non-governmental organizations in the work of the UN and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin represented Russia’s position during the event.
Amid Rising Global Tensions
The outcomes of the Summit reflect a broader trend highlighted by Zakharova ahead of Lavrov's trip. She noted that the General Assembly will take place against a backdrop of rising global tensions.
“This trend is a direct result of the destructive policies of the so-called collective West, which seeks to maintain its fading dominance on the world stage,” Zakharova stated. She criticized the West for resorting to “the most unscrupulous tactics, including methods once employed by colonial powers, such as illegal unilateral sanctions, restricting access to new technologies, and military interventions.” She concluded by asserting that the West's attempts to retain its dominance are doomed to fail.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials