Polish President Karol Nawrocki decorates US diaspora and opens UN visit

Diaspora honors and community meetings

Polish President Karol Nawrocki presented state decorations to Polish diaspora representatives during a gathering at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, New York, on 20 September 2026. The awards recognized individuals involved in community education, clergy work, business, cultural promotion, and sports development across the United States. Honorees included football organizer Wojciech Ziembowicz and veteran boxing promoter Zbigniew Rozalski, known as Ziggy Rozalski. Rozalski managed the careers of prominent Polish fighters such as Andrzej Gołota and former world champion Tomasz Adamek, who attended the gathering in the audience. Nawrocki praised the role of sports coaches and promoters, noting his own background following Polish professional boxing.

During his address, Nawrocki linked the active participation of Polish-Americans to the close relations maintained between Warsaw and Washington.

“It is thanks to people like you, the decorated, that Polish-American relations, those at the highest level, which find their reflection in the direct relationship of the two presidents, the leader of the United States Donald Trump and mine, that these strategic, partner relations are possible.”

Nawrocki also spoke on the nature of national identity abroad, asserting that cultural unity persists across borders.

“The nation has this trait, that neither spatial limitations nor temporal limitations apply to it. Carrying Poland in our hearts, we are Poles outside the borders of the Republic of Poland. The nation, like a family, endures even despite death, because new ones will be born, new ones are raised. And this strength of the nation, the strength of the national community, always resonates so strongly in the United States.”

Memorial tributes and church anniversary

The presidential visit began on 19 September 2026, when Karol Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka arrived in New York City. On their opening day, the couple visited the World Trade Center site, laying a ceremonial wreath at the Survivor Tree to honor the victims of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks.

On Sunday morning, 20 September, the couple attended a religious service at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood. During the liturgy, the president and first lady unveiled a bronze commemorative plaque celebrating the 130th anniversary of the parish's establishment.

Diplomatic meetings and United Nations address

The working visit continues through 23 September 2026 with political, economic, and multilateral engagements. On Monday, 21 September, Nawrocki attends the Poland-US Economic Summit held at the Pilecki Institute. His afternoon schedule includes joint meetings with the presidents of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia, alongside bilateral conferences with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN General Assembly President Chalilur Rahman. Later that evening, Nawrocki presides over another state decoration ceremony, while First Lady Marta Nawrocka participates in a group bicycle ride organized by NAROWERZE.US.

On Tuesday, 22 September, the presidential couple attends a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, 23 September, Nawrocki delivers Poland's national address before the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.