Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he will address the United Nations General Assembly in person next week despite, not having been vaccinated against COVID-19.

[Clip: Bolsonaro]
"I will be at the U.N. General Assembly next week. I will give the opening speech, a calm speech, very objective, focusing on the points that matter to us. What happened, what did you get the vaccine for, to get antibodies, that's not it. My antibody count is at the top."

New York City authorities said all those attending the event must show proof of vaccination, under a local mandate that took effect Monday.

General Assembly president Abdulla Shahid backed the move.

But U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he can't impose the requirement on heads of state.

Earlier, Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vassily Nebenzia, objected to the proof of vaccination move as "discriminatory," arguing that preventing delegates to access the debate hall was a "clear violation of the U.N. charter."

The 76th session of the UNGA starts on September 21.