World Leaders Gather for UN General Assembly

World leaders are gathering in the U.S. city of New York City for the 63rd annual plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The General Assembly formally opened last week, when diplomats met to settle administrative issues and set this year's agenda.

But the coming week is expected to attract far more attention, as the heads of U.N. member states take turns addressing the assembly. Those addresses begin on Tuesday and include speeches U.S. President George Bush and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The world body says it will tackle the question of Kosovo's independence among other issues during this year's session.

The General Assembly president, Miguel d'Escoto Brockman, says he will work to pass major reforms of the United Nations.

Brockman says the 192-member General Assembly needs to have a stronger role compared to the Security Council, whose permanent members, the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain, have veto power in votes.

Demonstrators opposed to Mr. Ahmedinajad's policies in Iran are planning a major rally for Monday morning.

Diplomats and politicians typically use their time in New York to hold meetings on the sidelines of the assembly.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.