Each year, the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly offers an opportunity to meet representatives from the 193 UN member states in person. From 23 to 27 September, I will, first and foremost, conduct talks and speak at events focusing on the conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Germany is committed to improving the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, securing the hostage’s release, advancing international efforts to achieve a ceasefire and preventing further escalation in the region. In New York, we will also hold discussions about which steps can get us closer to a two-state solution.

The situation in Yemen and the Houthis’ attacks, both against Israel and in the Red Sea, are giving us great cause for concern. Together with my colleagues in the EU and the US, I am hosting an event on the politico-military dimension of the conflict with the Houthis. We will talk about how we can protect the freedom of navigation from the impacts of this conflict.

With the G7 and partners, we will talk about the best possible way to support Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has been the target of Russian drones and missiles time and again. Germany stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. We are providing the country with political, financial and military support. Winter is set to begin in Ukraine in a few weeks’ time. With this in mind, another focus for us is the protection and reconstruction of the energy sector.

I will attend the meeting between the EU and likeminded partners from Latin America and the Caribbean. We will also discuss the situation of political prisoners in Belarus. The fight against terrorism will be the focus at the meeting of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum. Further formats will address global efforts to achieve disarmament as well as continued support for a treaty banning nuclear weapons tests.

I am also using my trip to New York to further cultivate transatlantic relations. As on each of my visits to New York, I will hold meetings with Jewish organisations and talk to them about the situation in the Middle East and about the fight against antisemitism.

Following the High-Level Week, I will travel to Washington, DC and attend the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition Against Daesh on 30 September.