NEW YORK — The Coast Guard, along with multiple partner agencies, are positioned to support maritime security operations for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City Sunday through Saturday.
Months of planning go into the preparation for this unique event where representatives from nearly 150 countries come together and work on a wide array of international issues.
"As we prepare for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the Coast Guard, working in close partnership with our federal, state and local partners, is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all participating leaders and delegations," said Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, the Coast Guard Sector New York commander. "Our priority is to maintain robust waterside security for the duration of this National Special Security Event, and we are bringing in additional Coast Guard forces from around the country to ensure we are prepared."
The Coast Guard’s primary role during the assembly will be maritime security operations in support of the U.S. Secret Service, including the enforcement of security zones in the East River near the United Nations complex.
Supporting Coast Guard units include Sector New York, cutters Katherine Walker, William Chadwick, Penobscot Bay, and Bonito, boat stations New York, Sandy Hook and Kings Point, Air Stations Cape Cod and Atlantic City, various Maritime Safety and Security Teams, and Maritime Security Response Team East.
Partner agencies include U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Department of State, NYPD, FDNY, NY Department of Environmental Conservation, and the New York Naval Militia..
"The United States Coast Guard plays a central role in the security plan protecting the 80th United Nations General Assembly," said Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool. “The U.S. Secret Service thanks them for their steady presence on the waterways adjacent to the United Nations complex and especially for their enforcement of established security zones.”
East River security zones are scheduled to begin Sept. 21st and end Sept. 27th. The security zones encompass all waters of the East River between East 36th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge. Exact closure periods will be broadcast daily by Coast Guard Sector New York and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) New York. For additional information, it is recommended that mariners reference Coast Guard Advisory Notice 2025-027.
Coast Guard Advisory Notice 2025-027 can be found at https://media.defense.gov/2025/Sep/18/2003801722/-1/-1/0/CGAN%202025-027%20UNGA%202025.PDF.