Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis has begun his address during the high-level General Debate at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on BRICS to safeguard the multilateral trading system amid rising protectionism and tariff volatility. Speaking at a BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York, held on the sidelines of the UNGA, Mr. Jaishankar stressed: “When multilateralism is under stress, BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change.”

On the sidelines of the 80th UNGA session, Mr. Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Mexico, Cyprus, and several Pacific Island nations, reaffirming India’s commitment to global partnerships.

The 80th session of the UNGA opened on September 9, 2025. The General Debate runs from September 23 to 29, with Brazil traditionally speaking first, followed by the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his first UNGA address of his second term on September 23, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also used his speech to call for dialogue with India, praising former President Trump’s earlier role in mediation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the Assembly as international pressure builds over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.