Dozens of world leaders skip UN General Assembly high-level session

The short version

• More than 50 world leaders are absent from the 81st UN General Assembly session, citing domestic political turmoil, holidays, medical recovery, and diplomatic priorities.[Deutsche Welle]
• Prominent no-shows include China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Germany's Friedrich Merz, Italy's Giorgia Meloni, and several major African leaders.[Deutsche Welle]
• Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is addressing the assembly by video after the United States denied him a visa for the second year in a row.[NPR]
• Top ministers and deputies are addressing the assembly in place of their respective heads of state amid heavy diplomatic agendas.[Deutsche Welle]

Key facts

• More than 50 national leaders are skipping the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.[Deutsche Welle]
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remained home following regional election defeats for his party in Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.[Deutsche Welle]
• Chinese President Xi Jinping bypassed the UN gathering to attend a bilateral state visit in Washington, D.C.[Deutsche Welle]
• Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is speaking via prerecorded video after the Trump administration denied him a visa for the second consecutive year.[NPR]
• Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree instructing Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to represent Russia at the session without providing an official reason for his absence.[Deutsche Welle]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Who is skipping the UN General Assembly — and whyDeutsche Welle
• What to know as world leaders converge at the United Nations this weekNPR - World