Estonia's President Karis to focus on defending UN principles and AI at General Assembly opening

Estonian President Alar Karis will take part in the opening of the UN General Assembly session in New York from September 20 to 24. According to the president's office, he will address the General Assembly on Wednesday, focusing primarily on defending the principles of the UN Charter, which he says are increasingly being violated.

Karis stressed that upholding the UN Charter is a shared responsibility of all member states, describing Russia's aggression against Ukraine as a blatant violation of the charter that tests the entire international order. He said it is essential to stand firmly with Ukraine and defend the principles underpinning international peace and security.

Meetings in New York

As part of the session's opening, the heads of state of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine, the global security situation, and UN reform. The presidents of the Baltic states and Poland will also discuss regional security, support for Ukraine, and the future of the UN among themselves.

Artificial intelligence as a second priority

The second major topic Karis plans to address during the visit is artificial intelligence. He noted that AI development opens up major new opportunities but also entails shared responsibility. Within international cooperation, he said, efforts must ensure that AI use is safe, responsible and human-centered, and that its benefits are accessible to everyone.

During the visit, Karis and his wife will also attend a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump and hold a series of bilateral meetings with other heads of state and international organizations. Karis will additionally open a forum during climate week, where Estonian companies will showcase innovative solutions and seek cooperation opportunities with American businesses.