Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will not attend the reception that US President Donald Trump is hosting this year in New York for delegations of heads of state, as the new session of the United Nations General Assembly gets underway.
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El Pais, citing sources, reported that the reason for Sanchez’s absence is related to “scheduling reasons.” According to these sources, the Spanish prime minister’s calendar is drawn up well in advance, while invitations to the US presidential reception are sent only shortly beforehand, also because of heightened security protocols.
However, Sanchez’s official agenda for Tuesday does not currently list any activity that would coincide with the timing of the reception organized by Donald Trump.
This is not the first time the Spanish prime minister has missed the event. He did not attend last year either, while Spain was represented at the reception by King Felipe VI.
During the first two years of his term, in 2018 and 2019, Sanchez attended Trump’s receptions together with his wife, Begoña Gómez. In 2020 and 2021, the event was not held because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, in 2022 and 2023, Sanchez attended receptions hosted by President Joe Biden. His absence in 2024 came because the event coincided with the speech he delivered at the UN General Assembly.
Although he will not attend Trump’s reception, Pedro Sanchez will be present at the opening of the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The American president will also speak at the session.
The Spanish prime minister’s agenda also includes participation in an event dedicated to author and journalist Gloria Steinem, known as one of the leading figures of the feminist movement.
Sanchez is also expected to take part in discussions on protecting children from the challenges caused by artificial intelligence and on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
On Monday, the head of the Spanish government held a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. During the conversation, Sanchez described the organization as a “space for dialogue to seek solutions” at a time marked by international tensions and the difficulties facing multilateral institutions.
Sanchez and Guterres underscored the importance of increasing cooperation among countries, addressing climate change and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, as the world faces polarization and armed conflicts.
