ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu’s English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 (subject to change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Syrian president to attend New York-based summit
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to attend Concordia Annual Summit in New York. Sharaa will be the first Syrian president to be hosted since 1967 in the global affairs forum that convenes business, government, and nonprofit leaders worldwide. The president will have a conversation on Democracy, Security & Geopolitical Risk.
Official recognition of Palestinian statehood
Global and regional reactions to the official recognition of the state of Palestine by the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal on Sunday, as many other countries are expected to make a similar announcement during the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23-29.
Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza City
The latest field situation in Gaza City after the Israeli army announced the expansion of its ground offensive, with additional forces entering the northern city as part of "Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.”
Leaders' meeting on two-state solution on margins of UN General Assembly
World leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly's high-level week on the question of Palestine and implementation of the two-state solution. French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are co-chairs the meeting. It follows a high-level conference held at the end of July as a number of countries announce their intention to recognize the Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is among the participants.
Flag-raising ceremony at Palestinian Embassy in UK
Head of the Palestinian mission in the UK Husam Zomlot holds a flag-raising ceremony at what will become the Palestinian Embassy in London following the UK's announcement on Sunday regarding the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Zomlot and other representatives expected to make brief remarks.
UN chief to address General Assembly
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will deliver a message to the General Assembly on the 30th anniversary of the high-level 4th World Conference on Women, as well as a message to the General Assembly to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations.
Guterres will later deliver a speech at the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
UN Security Council to hold briefing on ‘Threats to international peace and security’
The UN Security Council will hold an urgent briefing under the “Threats to international peace and security” agenda item to discuss the Sept. 19 incursion of Russian aircraft into Estonian airspace. Requested by Estonia at UN, with support from Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and the UK.
Trump to make announcement on medical, scientific findings for children
US President Donald Trump will make an announcement at the White House about “significant medical and scientific findings for America’s children.” The announcement will reportedly explore how certain medications are linked to autism in children.
Trump will also travel to New York City to attend UN General Assembly. He is expected to speak to reporters during his departure.
Rubio to hold bilateral meetings
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold separate meetings with his counterparts from India and Japan in New York City. He will also meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Rubio will also attend a closed-door G7 Foreign Ministers working dinner.
Pentagon chief Hegseth to host Canadian counterpart
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will host his Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty at the Pentagon.
Healthcare workers’ Gaza protest in Brussels
Healthcare providers will rally outside the European Parliament in Brussels, urging the EU to defend healthcare rights in conflict zones and act against violations of medical neutrality, citing Gaza as the clearest example.
Developments concerning Russia-Ukraine diplomacy
On Sept. 22, developments related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war will be followed ahead of the UN General Assembly. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his team is preparing for a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York, while Moscow continues to stress its readiness for direct negotiations. Statements from both sides are expected to shape the week’s diplomatic agenda.
Turkish president's agenda
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend in New York the Turkish Investment Conference in a Sectoral Roundtable Format, organized by the Türkiye-US Business Council, as well as the High-Level International Conference on Finding a Solution to the Palestinian Issue and Implementing the Two-State Solution, to be held under the auspices of France and Saudi Arabia. Erdogan will also attend a dinner organized by the Turkish-American National Steering Committee.
He will also meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in New York. This marks the first meeting in many years between a Canadian leader and a Turkish leader on the sidelines of UN General Assembly.
Malaysia hosts ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting
Malaysia hosts the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting, which comes amid tariffs by the US, including on Southeast Asian nations. Besides tariffs, the ministers are expected to discuss the bloc's monetary issues.
Japan’s ruling party begins election campaign
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) kicks off a two-week campaign for the new leadership, with voting set for Oct. 4. While the LDP does not hold a majority in Japanese parliament, it remains the largest party, making its new leader the most probable candidate for prime minister. The incoming leader will face the challenge of guiding the country through inflation, the effects of US tariffs, growing anti-immigration sentiment, and a looming demographic crisis.
South Sudan opposition leader, oil minister, 6 others expected in court
South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, suspended Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and six others are expected to appear in court on charges, including treason and murder.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Crises and contested legitimacy: What to expect at 80th UN General Assembly
Report presenting an overview of the 80th UN General Assembly session being held in New York this week. The story details key items on the agenda, with Israel’s war on Gaza and the current wave of Palestinian state recognition expected to dominate the discussions.
The report also examines other major topics, including efforts to end the wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, global trade tensions, and broader debates on the UN’s credibility.
More than recognition needed to end Israel’s occupation of Palestine: Experts
Interview with analysts on the wave of formal recognition of a Palestinian state by countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia. H.A. Hellyer, a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, emphasizes that recognition is a significant symbolic measure that must be followed by actual policy steps “to ensure that the occupation of the State of Palestine ends.”
Palestinian researcher Muhammad Shehada, a visiting fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, speaks about the motivations of countries changing their tone after nearly two years of genocide in Gaza, saying many view it is as “a PR debacle or a reputational damage to be whitewashed.”