Iran's president now speaks about the "state of our world" over the past two years.

Referring to Israel, he mentions "genocide in Gaza", "a devastation of infrastructure in Syria", and "assaults in Yemen".

"And all of this under the full support of the most heavily armed regime on earth, and under the pretext of self-defence," he says.

"Who is the disturber for people in the world?" Pezeshkian asks the Assembly.

Iran's president faces a difficult momentpublished at 15:03 BST 24 September

15:03 BST 24 September

Mehrnoosh Pourziaiee
BBC Persian

Pezeshkian takes the stage at UNGA as Iran has lost much of its footing and influence in the Middle East.

Its costly nuclear programme is severely damaged after Israeli and American strikes earlier this year, and it's now facing the possibility of more international sanctions.

Pezeshkian’s job to repair Iran’s international image, and prevent more financial headaches, is almost impossible.

President Trump, who ordered the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites three months ago, now seeks direct talks with Tehran. But Iran, still bruised by the US’s withdrawal from a nuclear deal and failed past deals, distrusts negotiations with Washington.

When Pezeshkian travelled to New York, Iran’s Supreme Leader declared in a televised address, "no country would talk under threat".

And with the nation already reeling from record inflation and decades of sanctions, some Iranians may not even be able to watch the president address, due to widespread power cuts.

Image source, Reuters

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian is now speaking at the UN in New York.

He starts his speech with some religious sentiments, highlighting the solidarity and shared vision for a brighter future among the delegates in the room.

Watch live at the top of the page.

Image source, Reuters

War has already reached "too many people," Zelensky says, stressing that the responsibility now lies with world leaders to act.

He warns Putin "will keep driving the war forward wider and deeper" if he is not stopped.

He says it's up to those present at the UN General Assembly to make sure abducted children can return home, prisoners of war are freed, and hostages are able to come back.

In the final moments of his speech, Zelensky mentions a "good meeting" with US President Donald Trump yesterday.

He says he values Washington's support, but adds, "in the end peace depends on all of us".

"Don't stay silent while Russia keeps dragging this war on, please speak out and condemn it," he adds.

He ends his speech with: "Slava Ukraini" - meaning "Glory to Ukraine".

Speaking about the underground schools and bunkers built across Ukraine, Zelensky now asks the chamber: Do you have similar protection against threats in your country?

The facts are simple, he says - "stopping Putin now is cheaper" than trying to protect the world's ports or ships later.

It's easier than a global arms race, he adds.

Zelensky says Ukraine doesn't have the "big fat missiles dictators love to show off in parades".

He says the country had no choice but to build drones "to protect our right to life".

Ukraine doesn't have a big fleet, he continues, but says it has succeeded in the Black Sea.

"Because Russia left us with no other choice," he tells the Assembly.

Zelensky then references the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, as well as the killing of Charlie Kirk, as he talks about the rise in weapons.

The Ukrainian leader also mourns Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian woman who was recently stabbed to death in the US.

Nearly every day when we open the news, we see headlines about violent attacks, he says.

Most involve weapons we’re used to, but weapons are also evolving faster than our ability to defend ourselves, Zelensky warns.

Ukraine’s leader suggests “tens of thousands” of people now know how to use drones to kill as a result of Russia’s war.

What happens if drones become more widely available? he asks, referencing recent incursions on national airspaces.

“The world moves too slowly to protect itself.

“It’s only a matter of time before drones are fighting drones... all by themselves, fully autonomous.”

“We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history” as a result of artificial intelligence, he adds.

As a result, Zelensky calls for “global rules” on how AI can be used.

Zelensky says it’s important that Europe doesn’t lose Moldova to Russia in the same way as Georgia.

He says Europe missed its chance to act to save Georgia, just as it failed to save Belarus.

He warns that if Europe doesn’t help Moldova, the cost will be much higher than stepping in now.

He says the EU needs to support Moldova with funding and energy help - not just words and political gestures.

"Russia's trying to do to Moldova what Iran once did to Lebanon and the global response again, not enough," Zelensky says.

"We have already lost Georgia in Europe... and for many, many years, Belarus has also been moving toward dependence on Russia. Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova too."

Nada Tawfik
Reporting from the United Nations in New York

Image source, Reuters

There are Russian representatives listening to President Zelensky’s speech in the General Assembly hall, but they are avoiding looking directly at him.

It’s not a packed hall this morning, as President Zelensky might like, but he’s taking every opportunity to get out his message.

He strategically mentioned the killing of Charlie Kirk, the US right wing activist who was close to President Trump, which got enthusiastic nods from the US representatives there.

He also referred to the attempted assassination of Trump, and the murder of Iryna Zarutska - the Ukrainian woman killed in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.

It’s been an incredibly busy few days for President Zelensky, who kept up a fast pace as he shuttled around the UN yesterday with his entourage.

Even before this speech to the General Assembly this morning, he headlined another summit on Crimea, saying it was a test for international law and the world's ability to uphold democracy.

Zelensky says Russia has not stopped shelling, even in areas near nuclear facilities.

He says that because international institutions are "too weak, this madness continues".

Zelensky notes that "even being part of a long-standing military alliance [Nato] doesn't automatically mean you're safe," as he refers to Russia's attacks on Polish and Estonian air spaces.

He recalls that just recently, 19 simple Russian drones went into Polish airspace and only four of them were shot down.

Zelensky also says that Estonia had to call its first UN Security Council meeting due to Russia's attacks.

He adds that Moldova is also vulnerable to Russian influence and the global response is not enough.

Ukrainians are "peaceful people" even during bloodshed, Zelensky says.

There is no ceasefire because "Russia refuses", he says, adding that they abduct "thousands" of Ukrainian children.

How long will it take to bring them home, he asks.

Image source, UN

Zelensky starts by saying UN members want safety and peace "just as much as we do".

"If a nation wants peace, it still has to work on weapons... weapons decide who survives," he says.

"International law doesn't work fully unless you have powerful friends who are truly willing to stand up for it. And even that doesn't work without weapons," Zelensky continues.

He tells the General Assembly "there are no security guarantees except friends and weapons",

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky is now speaking.

Tap the button at the top of the page to watch live as he addresses delegates in English in New York - and we'll bring you his comments here.

Spain's King Felipe VI, the first speaker at today's United Nations General Assembly session, has just left the stage.

He spoke about the origins of the UN and its importance in closing the "dark chapters" of a violent 20th Century that saw the eruption of two world wars.

In keeping with many of the speeches at the UN over the past few days, Felipe also touched on the conflict in Gaza, emphasising the need to return the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and calling for a ceasefire.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is now coming to the podium - we'll bring you his remarks as we get them.

Image source, Reuters

Today's session at the UN General Assembly has just got under way - with the King of Spain, Felipe VI kicking off proceedings.

You can watch his speech by tapping watch live at the top of the page.

King Felipe is due to speak for around 15 minutes - although could go longer. Afterwards, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky will take to the stage.

Is Russia in 'BIG economic trouble'?published at 14:03 BST 24 September

14:03 BST 24 September

Dearbail Jordan
Senior business and economics reporter

In his comments on social media on Tuesday, Donald Trump said Russia was in "BIG economic trouble". Just hours later, the Russian Finance Ministry announced that it was raising VAT from 20% to 22% to fund "defence and security".

The Russian economy had proved to be pretty resilient since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 - despite it becoming the most sanctioned country in the world.

Growth was propped up by massive military spending, and it was able to divert its crucial oil exports to China and India.

However, the cracks are showing.

Fresh data shows that Russia only narrowly avoided a recession in the first half of this year. A recent cut in interest rates should be a boost to economic growth as Russia’s inflation eases. But at 17%, interest rates remain high and inflation, while slowing, is still a pretty robust 8.1%.

Trump wants the EU to target Russia’s exports to India and China – who, in his United Nations speech, he called the "primary funders" of Russia’s war – by imposing huge tariffs on both countries.

This, the US hopes, would ramp up pressure on Russia and its ability to keep financing the conflict.

But Ukraine’s economy is also struggling and, with the White House yet to announce any new funding for the country, it is facing its own acute financial difficulties.

We're 10 minutes away from the start of today's session at the United Nations in New York. While we wait, let's look back at yesterday - which was dominated by Donald Trump.

• Trump announced a major shift in his position on Ukraine’s war in Russia, writing on social media that Kyiv can "win all of Ukraine back in its original form"
• Earlier, in the UN hall, several delegates shook their heads as the US president described climate change as the "greatest con job ever"
• Europe was also singled out for its "embarrassing" failure to stop buying Russian oil and gas
• And Trump claimed European countries were "going to hell" because of controlled immigration
• London Mayor Sadiq Khan was singled out for criticism, as Trump accused him of moving to Sharia law - an Islamic legal system. Our BBC Verify colleagues examined this false claim
• And, after a host of Western countries recognised a Palestinian state, Trump called it a "reward for the terrible atrocities" committed by Hamas on 7 October

Image source, Reuters

We're focusing on President Zelensky's speech at the United Nations General Assembly today, which is due some time after 14:15 BST (the first speaker, due from 14:00 to 14:15, is the King of Spain).

Others due to speak later include Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (up fourth), and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa (up 14th).

On Iran, the UK, France and Germany have begun the process of restoring major UN sanctions as tensions once again escalate over Tehran's nuclear programme. Israel and Iran had a 12-day conflict in June, culminating in the US hitting Iranian nuclear sites. Will Pezeshkian use his New York speech to condemn those attacks?

Meanwhile, Al-Sharaa is the first Syrian president at the UN General Assembly since 1967, before the Assad family ruled the country for more than 50 years. Al-Sharaa was once wanted by the US for ties to militant groups. He now promises "Syria is not a threat to the world" - will he stick to this compromising tone?

A change in American rhetoric, but not actionpublished at 12:55 BST 24 September

12:55 BST 24 September

James Waterhouse
Ukraine correspondent, in Kyiv

Image source, Reuters

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his surprise at the US president’s “huge” shift in tone, but his country is used to Trumpian tide changes with his foreign policy.

As notable as going from “Russia holds all the cards” to “Ukraine can fight and win” is, the White House is yet to announce any more funding or weapons for Kyiv.

Troops we’ve met near the southern front line are also hardly preparing for an influx of ammunition or US missiles.

The daily task of fighting and surviving is all they can focus on, against a backdrop of constant manpower issues. The government is also grappling with a huge budget deficit, of which it mostly relies on its allies to cover.

On Ukraine liberating all of its territory, Donald Trump’s used the phrase “why not?”

Ukrainians point to the the speed and scale of western support it’s received to date. The US president has the power to change that, but until now he’s been reluctant to do so.

Image source, Reuters

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting yesterday, Ukrainian President Zelensky hailed the "big shift" in Donald Trump's position.

He said he understood the US was willing to give Ukraine security guarantees "after the war is finished".

Pressed on what this would look like, he added: "I don't want to lie, we don't have specific details," but broached the possibility of more weapons, air defences and drones.

Speaking later on Fox News, Zelensky said that Trump's pivot surprised him "a little bit", but he took it as a "positive signal" that Trump and the US "will be with us to the end of the war".

"I think the fact that Putin was lying to President Trump so many times also made a difference between us," he said.