NEW YORK — The general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly opened on Monday, with leaders from more than 190 member states gathering at UN headquarters to address wars in Gaza and Ukraine and a wave of Palestinian statehood recognitions. Brazil and the United States traditionally deliver the opening addresses.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres was scheduled to present his opening remarks warning of a fracturing international order and stalled progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. His office confirmed that Middle East diplomacy and Sudan's humanitarian crisis would feature prominently in his address.

The session followed a series of European recognitions of Palestinian statehood announced during a French- and Saudi-led summit at the assembly. France, the United Kingdom and Canada were among governments that formalised their positions, drawing sharp condemnation from Israel and the United States.

US President Donald Trump was expected to use his address to press his foreign policy agenda, including his contested arrangement over Greenland and his administration's restrictions on press access. Diplomats from the European Union and Gulf states anticipated friction over trade and security commitments.

Security around Manhattan's East Side was tightened, with the New York Police Department closing streets near the UN complex. The general debate is scheduled to run through the week, with bilateral meetings expected on Ukraine, Iran's nuclear file and Sudan.