New York briefly transforms into the centre of international politics as presidents, prime ministers and royals descend on the UN headquarters to speak at the opening debate for the latest UNGA session.<\/p>\n
This year, the summit arrives amid heightened security concerns in the United States following the assassination of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk<\/a>. It also comes at a time of growing global outrage at the horrors that Israel is inflicting on Gaza.<\/p>\n Traffic has been blocked in the eight city blocks flanking the UN complex, establishing a restricted zone that can only be accessed by authorised personnel.<\/p>\n Hundreds \u2014 if not thousands \u2014 of heavily armed local and federal law enforcement agents surround the area, ensuring that no one gets near the summit without prior approval.<\/p>\n Due to the restrictions, many local residents told Al Jazeera they feel a mix of apathy and annoyance towards the annual gathering, which has been informally dubbed the World Cup of Politics.<\/p>\n Ugur Dikici, who operates a fruit stand across from the UN, said it may seem cool to have leaders from across the world come to your neighbourhood. \u201cBut when you\u2019re stuck in traffic for two hours, it\u2019s not fun,\u201d he told Al Jazeera.<\/p>\n Dikici added that the event also hurts his business; tourists and delegates don\u2019t buy fruit and vegetables as much as locals, who may be deterred by the commotion.<\/p>\n However, he said having New York as a global platform is still worth it. \u201cYou can deal with three, four days once a year. It\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018International ideals\u2019<\/p>\n Entering the UN headquarters during the general debate<\/a> requires navigating\u00a0through a maze of checkpoints.<\/p>\n Delegates, visitors, staff and journalists are distinguished by different badges that allow them access to certain areas \u2014 but not others.<\/p>\n Even within the UN complex, some buildings and floors have their own airport-like screenings for multiple layers of security.<\/p>\n The East River, which borders the four main UN buildings, has also not been spared.<\/p>\n Only police and US Coast Guard vessels, about a dozen of them, can be seen on the water at any point. No ferries, cruises or commercial ships are allowed.<\/p>\n Authorities have declared the stretch of the water a security zone that is blocked to most ships during the summit.<\/p>\n Despite the intricacy of the security arrangements, the event tends to go on smoothly every year.<\/p>\n The occasional hiccups do occur, however. On Monday evening, for example, the motorcade of US President Donald Trump blocked the path of his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron<\/a>, as he tried to reach France\u2019s embassy.<\/p>\n Video captured the French leader gently haggling with a police officer to let him and his delegates pass. \u201cGuess what? I am waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you,\u201d Macron later told Trump in a cellphone call.<\/p>\n New York has been hosting the summit at the same spot for more than 70 years, and the city\u2019s leaders take a lot of pride in it.<\/p>\n \u201cThe iconic UN sits near the East River [and] remains a symbol of not only peace but a symbol of hope,\u201d New York Mayor Eric Adams said last week.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019m proud to be the mayor of this city that would house this important conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n But in his speech to the UNGA on Tuesday, Trump disparaged the international body, describing it as little more than a conveyor of \u201cempty words\u201d.<\/p>\n Dozens of protesters had gathered outside the event to denounce the US president<\/a>. Paul Rabin, one of the demonstrators, said he hoped to show his support for the UN\u2019s founding ideals \u2014 values he feels Trump is trampling.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a city of people from all over the world,\u201d he said of New York<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe international ideals are in alignment with the ideals of New York. And we want to call out people who are against the values that the UN and the United States are really founded on.\u201d<\/p>\n But Harry Khan, who owns a corner store nearby, was not as thrilled about the summit.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen there is a road closure, I lose business. My regular customers, they avoid coming outside,\u201d he told Al Jazeera.<\/p>\n And the influx of tourists does not offset the losses, according to Khan.<\/p>\n![\"Road](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/717108b7-b024-4b89-9c12-c2413c6033861-1758683355.jpg\")
Armed police guard a security checkpoint near the UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2025 [Ali Harb\/Al Jazeera]<\/p>\n![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4dea7d37-6287-4c68-b2f8-17726295813f1-1758683613.jpg\")
\u2018When you\u2019re stuck in traffic for two hours, it\u2019s not fun,\u2019 says New Yorker Ugur Dikici [Ali Harb\/Al Jazeera]<\/p>\n![\"Interactive_NYC_UN_Traffic_September23_2025\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Interactive_NYC_UN_Traffic_September23_2025-1758636832.png\")
[Al Jazeera]\u2018I lose business\u2019<\/p>\n