The UN Security Council meets to discuss nonproliferation on Wednesday, September 26.
In pictures: The UN General Assembly
The UN Security Council meets to discuss nonproliferation on Wednesday, September 26.
Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 2038 GMT (0438 HKT) September 26, 2018

For the first time, US President Donald Trump chaired a Security Council meeting at the United Nations General Assembly.

Wednesday's meeting, which focused on nonproliferation, came a day after Trump addressed the international body and doubled down on the "America First" doctrine he first took to the world stage last year.

During his remarks on Tuesday, Trump rejected "the ideology of globalism" and emphasized the country's commitment to its sovereignty above all international organizations and multilateral agreements.

"America will always choose independence and cooperation over global governments, control and domination," he said. "I honor the right of every nation in this room to pursue its own customs, beliefs and traditions. The United States will not tell you how to live or work or worship. We only ask that you honor our sovereignty in return."

This is the 73rd session of the General Assembly, which was formed in 1945. Among the items on this year's agenda are peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, human rights, public health and gender equality.

US President Donald Trump arrives to chair Wednesday's Security Council meeting.
US President Donald Trump arrives to chair Wednesday's Security Council meeting.
Evan Vucci/AP
First lady Melania Trump hosts a reception for world leaders' spouses on Wednesday.
First lady Melania Trump hosts a reception for world leaders' spouses on Wednesday.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
President Trump meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. Throughout the week, Trump is holding bilateral meetings with several allies.
President Trump meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. Throughout the week, Trump is holding bilateral meetings with several allies.
Evan Vucci/AP
Secret Service agents stand next to President Trump's vehicle on Wednesday.
Secret Service agents stand next to President Trump's vehicle on Wednesday.
Evan Vucci/AP
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during the Security Council briefing on Wednesday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during the Security Council briefing on Wednesday.
Evan Vucci/AP
Lebanese President Michel Aoun talks about Syrian refugees as he addresses the General Assembly on Wednesday.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun talks about Syrian refugees as he addresses the General Assembly on Wednesday.
Richard Drew/AP
Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.
Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.
Evan Vucci/AP
From left, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron share a laugh before Wednesday's Security Council meeting.
From left, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron share a laugh before Wednesday's Security Council meeting.
Justin Lane/EPA-EFE
Swiss President Alain Berset makes notes next to delegation member Veronique Haller during a short break on Wednesday.
Swiss President Alain Berset makes notes next to delegation member Veronique Haller during a short break on Wednesday.
Peter Klaunzer/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Trump addresses the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, September 25. He began his speech by touting his administration's "extraordinary progress."
Trump addresses the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, September 25. He began his speech by touting his administration's "extraordinary progress."
Richard Drew/AP
Macron speaks to the General Assembly on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/25/politics/macron-unga-speech-trump/index.html" target="_blank">He delivered a fiery rebuke of US policies under Trump,</a> signaling that he is ready to take up the mantle of global leadership usually assumed by a US leader.
Macron speaks to the General Assembly on Tuesday. He delivered a fiery rebuke of US policies under Trump, signaling that he is ready to take up the mantle of global leadership usually assumed by a US leader.
Richard Drew/AP
Vice President Mike Pence whispers to White House press secretary Sarah Sanders as Trump delivers his speech Tuesday.
Vice President Mike Pence whispers to White House press secretary Sarah Sanders as Trump delivers his speech Tuesday.
Justin Lane/EPA/REX/Shutterstock
Trump delivers a toast during a working lunch hosted by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday.
Trump delivers a toast during a working lunch hosted by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday.
Evan Vucci/AP
Police stand guard in front of UN headquarters on Tuesday.
Police stand guard in front of UN headquarters on Tuesday.
Andres Kudacki/AP
A member of the Vietnamese delegation naps during Tuesday's proceedings.
A member of the Vietnamese delegation naps during Tuesday's proceedings.
Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seen on a translator's video screen as he addresses the General Assembly on Tuesday. During the Assembly, every nation gets a chance to speak.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seen on a translator's video screen as he addresses the General Assembly on Tuesday. During the Assembly, every nation gets a chance to speak.
Mary Altaffer/AP
Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari listens to Trump's speech on Tuesday. Trump trumpeted his decision to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal, calling it "horrible," and he said "many countries in the Middle East strongly supported" his decision.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari listens to Trump's speech on Tuesday. Trump trumpeted his decision to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal, calling it "horrible," and he said "many countries in the Middle East strongly supported" his decision.
Mary Altaffer/AP
Trump opened his speech Tuesday by saying his administration "has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country." <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-un-2018/h_894de58b3d36fc936ab5b8798ba8d87f" target="_blank">When that drew some chuckles,</a> Trump said, "I didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK." Then there was louder laughter and some applause.
Trump opened his speech Tuesday by saying his administration "has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country." When that drew some chuckles, Trump said, "I didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK." Then there was louder laughter and some applause.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images
A few of Trump's children listen to his speech Tuesday. In the front row, from right, are son Eric, daughter-in-law Lara, son-in-law Jared Kushner, daughter Ivanka and daughter Tiffany.
A few of Trump's children listen to his speech Tuesday. In the front row, from right, are son Eric, daughter-in-law Lara, son-in-law Jared Kushner, daughter Ivanka and daughter Tiffany.
Mary Altaffer/AP
Journalists work at UN headquarters on Tuesday.
Journalists work at UN headquarters on Tuesday.
Alexander Shcherbak/TASS via Getty Images
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern holds her 3-month-old daughter, Neve, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/24/asia/new-zealand-ardern-baby-un-intl/index.html" target="_blank">in the assembly hall</a> on Monday, September 24. Ardern is the first world leader in nearly 30 years to have a child while in office.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern holds her 3-month-old daughter, Neve, in the assembly hall on Monday, September 24. Ardern is the first world leader in nearly 30 years to have a child while in office.
Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images
A statue of the late Nelson Mandela is unveiled at the United Nations on Monday. He would have been 100 this year.
A statue of the late Nelson Mandela is unveiled at the United Nations on Monday. He would have been 100 this year.
Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/27/news/economy/us-south-korea-trade-deal/index.html" target="_blank">a new trade deal</a> on Monday.
Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed a new trade deal on Monday.
Evan Vucci/AP
RM, the leader of the South Korean boy band BTS, announces the launch of "Generation Unlimited," a UNICEF youth campaign aimed at promoting education, training and employment.
RM, the leader of the South Korean boy band BTS, announces the launch of "Generation Unlimited," a UNICEF youth campaign aimed at promoting education, training and employment.
YONHAP/YNA/EPA
Maria Fernanda Espinosa, who is presiding over this year's General Assembly, addresses the conference on Monday. She is the first Latin-American woman to hold the office.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa, who is presiding over this year's General Assembly, addresses the conference on Monday. She is the first Latin-American woman to hold the office.
Richard Drew/AP
Espinosa speaks during the Mandela Peace Summit on Monday. "Few people in the history of our world have left such an incredible mark on humanity," she said.
Espinosa speaks during the Mandela Peace Summit on Monday. "Few people in the history of our world have left such an incredible mark on humanity," she said.
Richard Drew/AP
Trump shakes hands with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday. Trump was hosting a session about the global drug crisis. "The scourge of drug addiction continues to claim too many lives in the US and the nations around the world," Trump said. "Today we commit to fighting the drug epidemic together."
Trump shakes hands with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday. Trump was hosting a session about the global drug crisis. "The scourge of drug addiction continues to claim too many lives in the US and the nations around the world," Trump said. "Today we commit to fighting the drug epidemic together."
Jason Szenes/EPA-EFE
Guterres talks during the drug summit on Monday. "Some 450,000 people die every year from overdoses or drug-related health issues," he said.
Guterres talks during the drug summit on Monday. "Some 450,000 people die every year from overdoses or drug-related health issues," he said.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images
Guterres speaks about Mandela on Monday. He said Mandela "embodied the highest values of the United Nations -- peace, forgiveness, compassion and human dignity."
Guterres speaks about Mandela on Monday. He said Mandela "embodied the highest values of the United Nations -- peace, forgiveness, compassion and human dignity."
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Trump speaks with Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN, during Monday's meeting about the global drug crisis.
Trump speaks with Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN, during Monday's meeting about the global drug crisis.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Trump talks with reporters on Monday.
Trump talks with reporters on Monday.
Justin Lane/EPA-EFE
Counter-snipers stand on the roof of the UN building on Monday.
Counter-snipers stand on the roof of the UN building on Monday.
Evan Vucci/AP