General Assembly

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to denounce Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist mayoral candidate in New York City. The attack on a local American politician from a global diplomatic stage drew immediate attention and criticism, with commentators debating why Netanyahu singled out Mamdani and what it says about his effort to frame opponents of Israeli policy.

Many countries' delegations walked out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the United Nations, with a published list naming nations including Egypt, Palestine, Yemen, Sudan, Senegal, Tunisia, Panama, Suriname, Turkmenistan and Tuvalu. The mass exits underscore the depth of international anger over Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, with much of the Global South among those protesting the speech.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran will never seek to build a nuclear bomb, ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The pledge, made shortly before his address in New York, is being read as an attempt to ease tensions with Western powers over Iran's nuclear programme and to signal Tehran's position on the international stage.

President Donald Trump spoke before world leaders at the United Nations summit, in an address carried live by major US news outlets. The speech drew large audiences as viewers followed his remarks to the General Assembly in real time, with commentary focusing on his message to the international community.

The president of Palau addressed the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting climate change and growing global tensions. As leader of a small Pacific island nation highly vulnerable to rising seas, Palau has long used the UN platform to urge stronger international action on climate. The speech underscores how small island states are pushing major powers to prioritize climate commitments amid geopolitical divisions.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani addressed the UN General Assembly with a fiery speech on Gaza, sharply criticising Israel and telling it to stop invoking anti-Semitism. The remarks drew wide attention online, with many discussing the confrontation as the Gaza war and humanitarian crisis remain central to the assembly's debates.

Iran and other world leaders are delivering full speeches on the second day of the 2026 UN General Assembly in New York. Live coverage from outlets including the Associated Press is drawing a large global audience, with viewers following statements on conflicts including Ukraine and wider diplomatic tensions as leaders use the annual gathering to set out their positions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used his last address to the UN General Assembly to repeat calls for global oversight of artificial intelligence and an end to ongoing wars. His remarks come as the Security Council prepares to brief AI leaders on the risks posed by the powerful technology, underscoring how central AI governance has become to the UN's agenda.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, laying out Iran's positions on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. His speech drew wide attention, with many debating where Tehran drew its red lines amid ongoing tensions over its nuclear programme and confrontation with Israel.

The 2026 UN General Assembly has wrapped up a week of global diplomacy, with a report examining what the sessions and side meetings revealed about the state of international relations. Commentators are weighing the outcomes of the annual gathering, which brings world leaders together in New York to debate conflicts, cooperation and geopolitics.

The UN General Assembly, the largest annual gathering in international diplomacy, begins this week in New York, with world leaders set to deliver speeches and hold sideline meetings. Commentary is focused on what to expect from this year's session, including which leaders attend, the major conflicts and crises on the agenda, and the key addresses to watch.

Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, framing Israel's security threats within a historical narrative. An opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post examines the speech, focusing on its use of history, the issue of settler violence in the occupied territories, and Israel's stated security concerns. The address comes as Israel faces continued international criticism over its conduct in the West Bank and Gaza.

Sudan says it will not bow to 'pressure or blackmail' after the United States declined to grant a visa to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for the UN General Assembly in New York. Khartoum's authorities framed the visa denial as an attempt at coercion, deepening a dispute between Washington and Sudan's military leadership as the country's devastating civil war continues.

The United Nations General Assembly's High-level Week is under way in New York, drawing heads of state and government for the annual round of speeches and diplomatic meetings at the world body's headquarters. The event is one of the busiest diplomatic gatherings of the year, with leaders using the podium to address conflicts, climate and global security.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered his final address to the General Assembly, warning that superpowers alone cannot solve the world's problems. The speech touched on global challenges including climate change, and is being shared alongside discussion of the United Nations' role as his term winds down. Commenters are highlighting the message that collective, multilateral action is needed rather than reliance on a few dominant states.

Finland's President addressed the United Nations General Assembly with a speech being widely shared as a frank assessment of today's world disorder. The address, distributed in full by news outlets, lays out his view of the state of international order and the challenges facing the multilateral system. Viewers are circulating it as essential viewing for understanding the current global situation.

The UN General Assembly's annual general debate has reached its fifth day in New York, with world leaders continuing to deliver set-piece speeches on global challenges. The marathon session remains the main forum for heads of state and government to set out their foreign policy positions, and UN News is providing a daily takeaway summarising the key moments and statements as the debate winds down.

Delegations from multiple countries walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall during a speech by Donald Trump. The walkout is being widely discussed as a public display of protest against the former US president on an international stage. Commentators are debating what the mass exit signals about global attitudes toward Trump and US standing at the UN.

Philippine delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall on Thursday, September 24, 2026, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the assembly, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed. The Philippines joined a larger group of delegations exiting during the speech, a gesture of protest that drew wide attention and debate online about Manila's shift in stance toward Israel.

Türkiye is using the UN General Assembly to advance dialogue and diplomacy, according to Daily Sabah. The report frames the country's diplomatic engagement at the annual gathering of world leaders as a priority, with Turkish officials pursuing talks on the sidelines of the assembly. Little detail is given beyond the general framing of Türkiye's diplomatic activity at the UN.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand addressed the UN General Assembly, warning that the world faces a period of global rupture and arguing that Canada must pursue greater autonomy. Her speech frames Canada's foreign policy around reducing dependence and navigating widening international divisions. The address is drawing attention as part of this year's General Assembly debates.

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has continued into its fifth day of general debate, with world leaders addressing delegates in the Assembly Hall at UN headquarters in New York. The annual debate is one of the UN's most closely watched events, drawing speeches from heads of state and government on global priorities, conflicts and cooperation.

Gabon's Minister for Foreign Affairs has addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The address forms part of the annual gathering where UN member states set out their positions on international peace, security and development, giving Gabon a platform to present its foreign policy priorities to the international community.

The UN General Assembly is once again placing Latin America in the spotlight, with regional issues framing debates among member states. The gathering prompts discussion of how Latin American countries are represented on the world stage and what priorities they bring to New York, from economic pressures to security and diplomatic realignments.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of San Marino took the floor at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly's general debate in New York. The address comes as delegates from around the world deliver their national statements at the annual gathering, with small states using the podium to weigh in on global issues.