U.N. General Assembly 'unlikely' to take place in person, says Secretary General

The Secretary General of the United Nations has said that the global pandemic makes it “unlikely” that world leaders will be able to congregate in New York in September for the annual UN General Assembly.

The Secretary General, Antonio Guterres said that he is looking at alternative digital ways to hold the assembly, which he will present to member states shortly.

It will almost certainly be impossible to arrange for multiple mass gatherings to take place in Manhattan before the threat of the virus is largely extinguished.

UN employees and diplomats stationed in New York have been working from home since March, and will continue to at least through the end of June.

The Security Council and General Assembly have been conducting meetings through videoconference.

This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the annual General Assembly, which has been taking place since the UN’s founding 1945.