Trump UN speech - President laughed at by world leaders as he boasts of achievements amid condemnation of Iran
First appearance before intergovernmental organisation after Washington cut refugee aid funding
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Donald Trump has asserted American sovereignty - rejecting “global governance, control and domination” - in an address to the UN General Assembly.
Mr Trump said the United States will never tell other nations how to live, work or worship. But the president added the United States expects other nations to “honour America's sovereignty in return.”
The president arrived late, forcing a last-minute scheduling switch, then received polite applause but also blank stares as he took his blustery brand of “America First” policies to the annual General Assembly.
Speaking in triumphal terms, Mr Trump approached the address as an annual report to the world on his country's progress since his inauguration. He crowed that in “less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.”
Rather than applaud or indicate they were impressed, the audience began to chuckle and some broke into outright laughter. Mr Trump appeared briefly flustered before joking that it was not the reaction he expected but “that's all right.”
The moment only reinforced Mr Trump's isolation among allies and foes alike, as his nationalistic policies have created rifts with erstwhile partners and cast doubt in some circles about the reliability of American commitments around the world.
Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load
The President of the General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés said the world owes a large "debt" to women over the "injustice" of global development leaving women and girls behind for too long.
Ms Garces, of Ecuador, is the first Latin American woman to lead the world body.
Read more of our coverage about women's rights around the world!
Ms Garces said "let us not talk about Africa, let us work with Africa". The UN has often been criticised by those in the international development arena for not including members of the 54 nations on the continent in its own growth and development or only focusing on aid rather than a sustainable future.
Ms Garces, per custom, appeals to heads of state to limit their statements in the general debate to 15 minutes.
This very rarely happens. Mr Trump's speech last year was approximately 40 minutes.
The longest speech ever given clocked in around 270 minutes by none other than Fidel Castro of Cuba on 26 September 1960.
Per tradition, Brazil will speak first.
Read about Mr Trump's first speech at the UN in 2017 here:
Something to watch out for: the word 'sovereignty'.
Mr Trump said the word 21 times during his speech last year. He also made mention of it already this year, through a document on global drug policy.
Read about "diplomatic pressure" and why the Trump administration and the US Mission to the UN's drug policy may not play as well with Republicans ahead of the 2018 midterm elections as other countries' policies.
This is why Brazil always speaks first at the UN.
Brazilian President Michel Temer said the UN is "first and foremost" a body of "mutual understanding".
He also spoke about a "multilateral system of trade" and migration policy.
Mr Trump has reportedly not left Trump Tower, his New York residence, as yet. He is set to speak next, since the US usually always speaks second.
Another country may have to take the spot if the US President does not arrive across town in the Turtle Bay neighbourhood on time!
We can expect practically every speaker to touch upon a few items during their general debate speeches: migration, human rights, and climate change.
Experts are looking towards Iran's speech later today as well. The European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said yesterday at the UN General Assembly Mr Trump does not have the power to negate the Iran nuclear deal.
“The nuclear deal with Iran is crucial for the security of the region, of Europe and of the entire region. As long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear-related commitments as it is doing so far the European union will remain committed to the continued, full, and effective implementation for the nuclear deal," she said.
Mr Trump refused to re-certify the deal, a signature foreign policy achievement under the administration of Barack Obama, earlier this year.
Mr Obama wrote a detailed Facebook post, one of his first open rebukes of his successor, about why Mr Trump should have re-certified the US role in the deal:
Since Mr Trump is running late - perhaps even a presidential motorcade is not enough to work past midtown Manhattan traffic! - Ecuador's Lenín Moreno is now speaking.
Mr Trump and US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, have entered the building so he should be ready to speak next.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies