NEW YORK, USA – September 20–26, 2025 – During the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), Her Excellency President Hilda C. Heine and First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr., led the Marshall Islands delegation in a week of high-level engagements, bilateral meetings, and multilateral dialogues on global challenges. From climate change and sustainable development to human rights, nuclear justice, and peace and security, President Heine championed the priorities of the Marshall Islands and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
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Saturday, September 20, 2025 – President Hilda C. Heine and First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr. led a delegation to the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York from September 20–26, 2025. During the visit, President Heine delivered the Marshall Islands’ national statement, participated in key bilateral and multilateral meetings, and advocated on pressing global issues such as climate change, human rights, sustainable development, and international peace and security.
Sunday, September 21, 2025 – President Heine Meets with UN Secretary-General on Sidelines of UNGA80 – After arriving, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Hilda C. Heine met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss key priorities for the Marshall Islands and other small island developing states. She welcomed the establishment of the UN Multi-Country Office for the North Pacific and encouraged further UN presence in the region to strengthen development cooperation. The meeting also focused on the link between climate change and security, with President Heine urging continued investment in resilience initiatives, as well as sustained attention to the health, environmental, and social impacts of nuclear testing. Secretary-General Guterres reaffirmed his strong support for the Marshall Islands on climate and nuclear justice and ocean management, underscoring the UN’s commitment to solidarity with Pacific Island nations. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16RUERC1mx/
Monday, September 22, 2025 – President Heine Delivers Statement at UN High-Level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women – President Hilda C. Heine delivered a statement at the UN High-Level Meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, where she highlighted both progress and ongoing challenges in advancing gender equality in the Marshall Islands. She emphasized the integration of gender into national planning, while addressing persistent issues such as gender-based violence and low political representation of women. President Heine pointed to reforms including survivor services, anti-trafficking commitments, expanded maternal health care, and mass cervical cancer screening, as well as initiatives like the Kora Fund to support women entrepreneurs and early childhood programs linking nutrition and climate resilience. She underscored the importance of drawing on matrilineal traditions to empower women as leaders and peacebuilders, and called for stronger global leadership—stating that the UN is long overdue for its first woman Secretary-General. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ANk7BK63D/
Monday, September 22, 2025 – President Heine Attends Women Rise for All Luncheon at the United Nations – President Hilda C. Heine attended the Women Rise for All Luncheon at UN Headquarters, convened by the UN Deputy Secretary-General alongside global women leaders to discuss gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals. The event highlighted the 2025 SDG Progress Report, which calls for stronger efforts to close gender gaps and promote women’s leadership. President Heine’s participation reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ commitment to advancing gender equality, empowering women and girls, and ensuring their central role in sustainable development and climate action. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18bh65sTjs/
Monday, September 22, 2025 – President Heine Participates in Working Lunch on Climate Policy with Germany and Palau – President Hilda C. Heine participated in a working lunch on climate policy hosted by Germany and Palau at the German Mission in New York, where discussions focused on the ICJ Advisory Opinion, preparations for COP30, climate finance challenges for small island states, and global governance. She welcomed the Advisory Opinion as a milestone for the Pacific, stressed the need for ambitious and accountable climate commitments aligned with the 1.5°C pathway, and highlighted the urgent adaptation needs of vulnerable nations like the Marshall Islands. President Heine called for greater support and financing for National Adaptation Plans and reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ commitment to advancing collective climate action and amplifying the voices of small island states. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19ukwQrVah/
Monday, September 22, 2025 – President Heine Participates in Panel Discussion at the SDG Moment – President Hilda C. Heine took part in a high-level panel at the SDG Moment during UNGA80, where leaders reviewed progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. She emphasized the central role of oceans and climate action for Small Island Developing States, stressing alignment with the 1.5°C pathway and improved access to climate finance. President Heine highlighted the Marshall Islands’ leadership in sustainable sea transport and called for innovative, practical solutions that reflect small states’ realities. She urged persistence, partnerships, and tailored strategies to link global commitments with local needs, reaffirming the Marshall Islands’ commitment to advancing ocean health, accelerating climate action, and amplifying SIDS voices in the global SDG agenda. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GAitzMx4r/
Monday, September 22, 2025 – President Heine Attends U.S.–Pacific Islands Business Forum – President Hilda C. Heine attended the U.S.–Pacific Islands Business Forum in New York, which brought together U.S. officials, Pacific leaders, and private sector representatives to discuss trade, investment, and partnerships in areas such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, digital technologies, and natural resources. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reaffirmed America’s commitment to the Pacific, announcing a second $60 million payment under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty benefiting 16 Pacific Island countries, including the Marshall Islands. President Heine’s participation highlighted the Marshall Islands’ dedication to regional economic cooperation, sustainable development, and ensuring Pacific voices are included in global trade and investment discussions. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CbnXQZpVN/
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – President Heine Attends Opening of the 80th United Nations General Assembly – President Hilda C. Heine and First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr., attended the opening of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where 193 Member States convened to deliberate on international peace, security, development, and cooperation. UNGA80 marked a key moment for accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing urgent global challenges. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17Gqqqd5pQ/
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – President Heine Meets with East-West Center President Celeste Connors – On the sidelines of UNGA80, President Hilda C. Heine met with East-West Center President Celeste Connors at the Marshall Islands’ Permanent Mission to the United Nations. They discussed recent initiatives of the Center, and President Heine reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ appreciation for the East-West Center’s continued partnership in advancing Pacific priorities and strengthening ties between the United States, the Pacific, and Asia. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JDyJWP8sj/
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – President Heine Attends Taiwan Friendship Night in New York – President Hilda C. Heine and First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr. attended the Taiwan Friendship Night in New York, celebrating the strong ties and enduring partnership between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Taiwan, and reaffirming shared values and cooperation. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cn67Ut18v/
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – President Heine Participates in High-Level Roundtable on Health Taxes in New York – President Hilda C. Heine attended the High-Level Roundtable on Health Taxes in New York, held alongside the UN’s Fourth High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases. She reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ leadership in addressing NCDs through health taxes on sugary drinks and tobacco, funding healthier school meals, youth sports, and improved access to medicines, and highlighted the nation’s ban on vaping to protect youth. President Heine emphasized the potential for small island states to pioneer health tax reforms and called for stronger international collaboration, technical support, and funding to advance public health initiatives. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D2n4hZF3x/
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – President Heine Featured in Live New York Times Climate Forward Interview – President Hilda C. Heine participated in a live New York Times Climate Forward interview, where she underscored climate change as the greatest security threat facing the Pacific, highlighting the existential risks to the Marshall Islands from sea level rise. She stressed the responsibility of high-emitting nations to provide climate finance as a matter of fairness and accountability, not charity. Addressing climate skepticism, she invited former President Donald Trump to visit the Marshall Islands to witness firsthand the impacts and resilience efforts, including sea wall construction, offering a symbolic island-hopping golf experience to illustrate the reality of climate change. Her remarks reinforced the Marshall Islands’ leadership in climate advocacy and the urgent need for global cooperation. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BKmx8pxNx/
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – President Heine Delivers National Statement at the 80th UN General Assembly – At the 80th UN General Assembly on September 24, 2025, President Hilda C. Heine delivered the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ national statement, highlighting climate change as the foremost security threat to small island states and calling for urgent scaled climate finance, stronger Paris Agreement commitments, and loss-and-damage support. She stressed the need for justice regarding the nation’s nuclear testing legacy, urged protection of oceans and sustainable fisheries, and opposed deep seabed mining. President Heine emphasized equitable health partnerships to address the Pacific’s growing noncommunicable disease burden, underscored the importance of a more effective UN Security Council, and voiced concerns over Taiwan’s exclusion from UN processes. Closing with a call for renewed multilateralism, she reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ commitment to peace, justice, and safeguarding vulnerable communities. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17BMp5KYrX/
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – President Hilda C. Heine Calls for Urgent Global Action at UN High-Level Event on Climate Change – At the UN Special High-Level Event on Climate Action on September 24, 2024, President Hilda C. Heine called for urgent global action to address the escalating climate crisis, emphasizing its existential threat to atoll nations like the Marshall Islands. She highlighted devastating impacts already faced, including floods, droughts, displacement, and food insecurity, and stressed that current global commitments fall short of keeping warming below 1.5°C. President Heine outlined the Marshall Islands’ leadership through its third NDC, committing to a 58% emissions reduction by 2035, and showcased innovative solutions such as hybrid sailing transport powered by wind and solar. She urged major economies to deliver stronger NDCs, phase out fossil fuels, and provide accessible climate finance for adaptation and loss and damage, closing with a call for renewed multilateral cooperation ahead of COP30 to ensure a viable future for vulnerable communities. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D4FC1BTDS/
Thursday, September 25, 2025- President Heine Joins AOSIS Leaders’ Breakfast Meeting on the Margins of UNGA 80 – President Hilda C. Heine joined the AOSIS Leaders’ Breakfast on the margins of UNGA 80, where she emphasized urgent climate action, stronger global commitments, and accessible financing for adaptation and resilience. She highlighted the critical role of oceans for small island states and reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ commitment to advancing shared priorities, including sustainable ocean management and resilient blue economies. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17BYpmXArD/
Thursday, September 25, 2025 – President Heine Delivers Statement at Global Climate Adaptation Action Event at UNGA 80 – President Hilda C. Heine delivered a statement at the Global Climate Adaptation Action event during UNGA 80, stressing adaptation as the Marshall Islands’ top priority amid rising seas and climate risks. She called for timely, accessible, and fair international support without increasing debt burdens, highlighting the country’s National Adaptation Plan for coastal protection and water security. As a GCA Board Member, she reaffirmed support for strengthened global partnerships and scaled financing, reinforcing the Marshall Islands’ leadership in advancing the adaptation agenda ahead of COP30. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16NP8z5BwR/
Thursday, September 25, 2025 – President Heine Delivers Statement at UNGA High-Level Meeting on Youth – President Hilda C. Heine addressed the UNGA High-Level Meeting on Youth, affirming the Marshall Islands’ commitment to empowering its young population, which makes up nearly 60% of the nation. She highlighted challenges such as unemployment and health risks, and showcased initiatives like the Women and Youth Skills, Empowerment and Resilience Project and national youth consultations under the Pacific Youth Development Framework. President Heine called for stronger global action to invest in youth, ensuring they are active partners in shaping resilient and sustainable futures. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16WBgTNDVc/
Thursday, September 25, 2025 – President Heine Attends European Union – Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting at UNGA 80 – President Hilda C. Heine participated in the EU–Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting at UNGA 80, where she emphasized the Pacific’s vulnerability to climate change and the need for strong democratic values and human rights. She called for deeper collaboration with the European Union to build resilience, highlighting climate change as the region’s foremost security threat. President Heine stressed the urgency of scaling up climate finance—particularly for adaptation—and reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ commitment to partnering with the EU and Pacific neighbors to advance peace, sustainable development, and climate action. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ENZ4xapLP/
Thursday, September 25, 2025 – President Heine Addresses UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health – President Hilda C. Heine addressed the UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, highlighting that nearly three-quarters of deaths in the Marshall Islands are linked to NCDs. She stressed the urgent need for global action to prioritize health, strengthen resilient community health systems, and ensure accountability, while addressing rising obesity, diabetes, and hypertension driven by reliance on imported processed foods. President Heine called for restoring access to traditional foods to improve health and cultural resilience, emphasized the intersection of NCDs, mental health, and sustainable development, and urged justice, equity, and solidarity—particularly for addressing the long-term impacts of the nuclear legacy affecting the Marshallese people. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C4GMavfLF/
Friday, September 26, 2025 – President Heine Contributes to Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue on Peace and Security – President Hilda C. Heine participated in the UN–Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue on Peace and Security, reaffirming the Pacific Islands Forum’s commitment to sustaining peace, stability, and resilience through the “Pacific Way.” She highlighted the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration and stressed the urgent need to address threats such as illicit drug trafficking, the nuclear legacy, and climate change impacts. President Heine called for strengthened Pacific–UN partnerships to advance nuclear disarmament, maritime security, and climate action as core security priorities, emphasizing collaboration, respect for sovereignty, and shared responsibility to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the Blue Pacific Continent. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BeBSo6PnM/
Friday, September 26, 2025 – President Heine Addresses UN Commemoration on Nuclear Weapons and Human Rights – President Hilda C. Heine addressed the UN Commemoration on Nuclear Weapons and Human Rights, sharing the Marshall Islands’ experience of 67 U.S. nuclear tests and their enduring impacts. She emphasized that nuclear weapons violate human rights and called for their complete elimination, linking disarmament to justice and humanity’s future. Highlighting the ongoing challenges from the nuclear legacy — including health crises, displacement, environmental damage, and radioactive waste worsened by climate change — President Heine stressed the urgent need for global commitment to a nuclear-weapon-free world to protect both human rights and the planet. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Kaz5cuiSp/
