World leaders gather for United Nations General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly's high-level general debate begins today.

Nearly 130 heads of state and government, and other high-level representatives are to meet with their counterparts and address the assembly with their national statements over the next three days.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to participate in several bilateral meetings and attend a number of engagements relating to developments in the Middle East, including a meeting of the 'Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’.

The group's aims are to work towards a two-state solution and support efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The Taoiseach is also expected to participate in an event hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, to mark nearly a year since the Gaza peace plan was announced.

Meetings between Mr Martin and outgoing UN Secretary General António Guterres, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have also been scheduled.

The wars involving Iran and Ukraine, artificial intelligence and pressure on the international system are expected to dominate the agenda this week.

US President Donald Trump is due to address the Assembly - which begins at 3pm Irish time - later today and hold meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Burnham and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Macron says he discussed Ukraine-Russia energy truce ideas with Trump

Meanwhile, Mr Macron said that he had discussed with ⁠Mr Trump initiatives aimed at securing a moratorium between Ukraine and Russia on attacks linked to the energy sector.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Macron said the two leaders had held a "very good" and "very constructive" discussion on the conflict and ‌agreed on the ⁠need to help Ukraine strengthen its defences.

Read more: Ireland must navigate diplomatic relationships at UN General Assembly

"We had a lengthy discussion on Ukraine and Russia, the need to help our Ukrainian friends more quickly and more strongly in terms ‌of interceptors, because that is the key issue from a defensive point ⁠of view," Mr Macron said.

Without going into ‌details, Mr Macron said the two had also focused on ⁠the ‌idea of halting strikes on the energy sector, a subject he would bring up when he meets Mr Zelensky.

The French leader said ⁠helping Ukraine's energy system remained a priority as the war continued to affect security across Europe and he hoped progress could be made during the annual gathering of leaders at the United ‌Nations.

Iran foreign minister arrives in New York

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York last night, leading Iran's diplomatic delegation at the annual gathering.

Mr Araghchi is the highest-ranking Iranian official to enter the United States since the Middle East war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

Mr Araghchi spoke by phone with Mr Guterres after his arrival and exchanged views on the agenda of the UN General Assembly, Iranian state television reported.

"Our most important objective is to use a major international platform to defend the legitimacy, rights, and interests of the Iranian people," Mr Araghchi was quoted as telling Iranian journalists.

Earlier, Iranian state media had reported that the Iranian delegation would be led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, and that the US had refused to issue visas to members of his delegation, including his communications team.

However, in a social post on X on Mr Aragchi's arrival in New York, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei described the minister as "head of a diplomatic delegation" at the General Assembly.

Mr Baghaei said Mr Aragchi "will hold talks and consultations with numerous officials and foreign ministers attending the session."

Mr Pezeshkian vowed to "firmly defend" his country's positions before departing for New York.

"We emerged with our heads held high, and this is a source of dignity and pride for all of us. Therefore, we will firmly defend our positions in international forums," he said before flying out of Iran, according to footage broadcast by state television.

While the US has authorised an Iranian delegation to travel for the UN gathering, it has, like last year, put restrictions in place.

Iran's delegation will not, for instance, be allowed to purchase luxury goods or other items during their stay in New York City, the State Department said.

Iranian state media said that the US had refused to issue visas to members of the delegation, including the communications team.

Additional reporting Reuters and AFP