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World leaders set to address UN UN chief stresses key challenges
(about 1 hour later)
The United Nations' annual general assembly is due to begin its formal session, with speeches by the US and Iran keenly awaited. UN chief Ban Ki-moon has told global leaders the world faces "a daunting array of challenges", from poverty and climate change to conflict in Darfur.
President George Bush is expected to focus on human rights and freedom. Opening the UN annual general assembly, he also called on Burma's military leaders to show restraint in the face of continued pro-democracy protests.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to repeat assurances over its nuclear programme which he says is for peaceful purposes. Speeches by the US and Iranian leaders are also keenly awaited.
New French President Nicolas Sarkozy will also address the assembly for the first time. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to give assurances on Iran's nuclear programme, which he says is for peaceful purposes.
President George Bush's speech is expected to focus on the themes that have dominated much of his presidency: the need to spread freedom, to reward advocates of democracy and to isolate regimes whose policies run counter to what he sees as the tide of history, says the BBC's Jonathan Marcus in New York.
He is also expected to announce sanctions against the ruling military junta in Burma.
Uncompromising
Addressing the general assembly for the first time as UN chief, Mr Ban called for "an internal climate of change" at the international body to deal with a growing number of issues.
"I expect the year ahead to be among the most challenging in our history. And I am sure that, together, we can make it one of the most successful.
"We need to pay less attention to rhetoric, and more attention to results - to getting things done," he said.
He stressed that peace in the Middle East was vital to regional and world stability. He also said "no stone would be left unturned to end the tragedy in Darfur".
The ritual of the general assembly allows each country's head of state or head of government - though some are represented by their foreign minister - to speak for 15 minutes.The ritual of the general assembly allows each country's head of state or head of government - though some are represented by their foreign minister - to speak for 15 minutes.
Each country determines the issues that it wants to raise.Each country determines the issues that it wants to raise.
There is no agenda as such, but the speeches of key countries are closely watched for any evidence of an inflection or shift in their foreign policies.There is no agenda as such, but the speeches of key countries are closely watched for any evidence of an inflection or shift in their foreign policies.
UncompromisingUncompromising
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be first up, followed by his US counterpart, George Bush. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be first to follow the UN secretary general, followed by his US counterpart, George Bush.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also speaking later on Tuesday.German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also speaking later on Tuesday.
Nearly 200 speeches and several days later, the representative of Trinidad and Tobago will be the last to speak.Nearly 200 speeches and several days later, the representative of Trinidad and Tobago will be the last to speak.
President George Bush's speech is expected to focus on the themes that have dominated much of his presidency: the need to spread freedom, to reward advocates of democracy and to isolate regimes whose policies run counter to what he sees as the tide of history, says the BBC's Jonathan Marcus in New York.
He is also expected to announce sanctions against the ruling military junta in Burma as widespread protests led by Buddhist monks there continue.
Mr Ahmadinejad was in an uncompromising mood on Monday in a speech at New York's Columbia University, arguing for further research on the Holocaust and insisting that his country was entitled to its peaceful nuclear programme.Mr Ahmadinejad was in an uncompromising mood on Monday in a speech at New York's Columbia University, arguing for further research on the Holocaust and insisting that his country was entitled to its peaceful nuclear programme.
The speech from the relatively new French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, will also be watched carefully.The speech from the relatively new French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, will also be watched carefully.
He has brought a significant shift in both the tone and content of French foreign policy, and the UN will provide him with a platform to set out the main themes that will dominate his presidency abroad.He has brought a significant shift in both the tone and content of French foreign policy, and the UN will provide him with a platform to set out the main themes that will dominate his presidency abroad.