U.N. to push for firm COVID vaccine commitments from richest nations at General Assembly

United Nations — The U.N. General Assembly officially kicked off this week. COVID-19 forced the biggest gathering of world leaders on the calendar to go virtual in 2020, but this year more than 100 presidents, prime ministers and others are set to give in-person speeches at the two-week event. 

More than a year and a half after the pandemic started, the coronavirus will still be front and center.   

This year's General Assembly is being held in hybrid fashion, with some guests still attending virtually after the U.S. mission voiced concerns in August that it could become a super-spreader event in New York City.