<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Secretary of State <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/marco-rubio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marco Rubio</a> began the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/united-nations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">United Nations</a> General Assembly, a significant week in diplomacy, by ringing the opening bell at the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/new-york-city/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New York</a> Stock Exchange on Monday.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The ceremony serves as a time marker, signaling the start and closing of an official session. The bells were first used at the exchange in the 1870s, initially using a Chinese gong before it was replaced by a brass bell, <a href="https://www.nyse.com/bell" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">according to the NYSE</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Rubio joined state officials for the ceremony. As discussions about midterm elections and potential 2028 presidential candidates continue, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4553845/marco-rubio-2028-candidate-president-joe-concha/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rubio has been suggested as a top contender</a>, although he has not announced any intention to run.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">World leaders are gathering in New York for the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly. With ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, advancements in artificial intelligence, and tariff disputes, there are numerous significant topics on the agenda.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The general debate is set to begin <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4735481/what-to-know-2026-un-general-assembly/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tuesday</a> and continue through September 28, with nearly 130 world leaders expected to attend.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak on Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday that he <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4735321/zelensky-trump-speak-new-york-diplomatic-meeting/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plans to meet with Trump</a> while in New York as the Ukraine-Russia war continues. Zelensky and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4735481/what-to-know-2026-un-general-assembly/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">scheduled to speak on Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Notable world leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are not expected to attend, although <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4733211/ai-leaders-trump-state-dinner-china-xi-jinping/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Xi plans to visit Trump</a> in Washington later in the week.</p>