UN General Debate

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered his message at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, stressing that Iran is not seeking a nuclear bomb. He framed his country's approach around regional security and the idea of 'peace through strength', remarks that are drawing wide attention as debate continues over Iran's nuclear programme and tensions across the Middle East.

World leaders, including Iran's representative, are delivering speeches on the second day of the 2026 UN General Assembly in New York, with the session carried live to a global audience. The high-level annual debate is drawing wide attention as heads of state address pressing international issues before the United Nations.

President Donald Trump spoke before world leaders at the United Nations summit in New York. The address drew wide attention as viewers watched live coverage of his remarks to the General Assembly. Interest is focused on what Trump told international leaders and how his message will land amid ongoing global tensions and US foreign policy debates.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with the full address released by the Associated Press. The remarks drew wide attention as debate continues over Israel's conduct in Gaza and its standing at the UN. Viewers reacted heavily, pushing the speech to the top of trending coverage.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to denounce Israel's conduct in Gaza, telling Israel to stop invoking anti-Semitism to deflect criticism. In a fiery speech, he accused Israel of using the charge to silence international condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The remarks drew wide attention and debate online, with supporters praising the directness and critics questioning the framing.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered pointed remarks telling major powers that 'their power isn't so super,' a message widely read as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump. The comments challenge powerful states to act with greater responsibility and restraint on the world stage, and they have drawn broad international attention as audiences debate which governments the rebuke was aimed at.

The sixth and final day of the UN General Debate has concluded in New York, with speakers and organisers urging member states to convert the week's promises into concrete measures. UN News's daily wrap-up highlighted the closing message that declarations on climate, peace and development must now be matched by delivery back home.

The 81st UN General Assembly general debate has concluded in New York, with speeches dominated by artificial intelligence, the situation in Palestine, and ongoing wars around the world. Delegates used the annual gathering to argue that these issues are increasingly interconnected, framing rapid technological change alongside prolonged conflicts as defining challenges for international cooperation.

The sixth and final day of the UN General Debate has concluded, with a closing appeal for member states to translate their speeches into concrete action. The takeaway highlights the gap between rhetoric and delivery as world leaders wrap up a week of addresses at the United Nations, with calls for follow-through on commitments made during the debate.

Sudan's Minister for Foreign Affairs has taken the floor at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, addressing the annual general debate. The speech comes as Sudan's civil war continues to displace millions and drive famine conditions, making the country's diplomatic voice at the UN a focus of international attention.

World leaders continued addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the sixth day of the annual high-level debate. The sessions, broadcast live, feature speeches from heads of state and government on topics ranging from conflict and security to climate and development, drawing international attention to the diplomatic calendar's most prominent gathering.

The UN General Assembly's General Debate has concluded after six days of speeches from world leaders, with the final edition of The Takeaway summarising the messages that dominated the podium. Peace emerged as the word most repeated across addresses, and organisers closed the debate with a call for governments to turn their rhetoric into concrete action.

As dozens of armed conflicts continue worldwide, artificial intelligence in warfare has unexpectedly become a central topic at the UN General Assembly. Debate centers on who should lead global AI regulation, with Britain positioning itself as a candidate for that role. Discussion also focuses on what military AI could mean for the war in Ukraine and for global security more broadly.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, using his speech to invoke historical narratives, address violence by settlers in the West Bank, and lay out what he described as Israel's principal security threats. A Jerusalem Post opinion piece examines how he balanced those themes, prompting debate over his message and its reception at the international body.

The UN General Assembly's general debate continued into its fifth day in New York, with world leaders and foreign ministers taking the rostrum to lay out their governments' positions on conflicts, climate and development. UN News is summarising the day's key speeches and moments for audiences following the annual high-level week.

Discussion is centring on the prospect of a woman leading the United Nations as secretary-general. The UN has never had a female secretary-general in its eighty-year history, and campaigns have repeatedly called for the next holder of the post to be a woman, with the upcoming selection process renewing the debate over whether that moment has finally arrived.

The UN General Assembly has again become the stage for debate over the stalled situation between Israelis and Palestinians, with discussion focusing on why there has been no movement toward a resolution. Observers point to entrenched positions on both sides and limited international leverage, leaving the conflict in a state of stasis despite continued diplomatic attention at the UN.

The President of the United Nations General Assembly has formally closed the general debate of the Assembly's 81st session at UN headquarters in New York. The closure ends the annual stretch of speeches by heads of state and government, in which world leaders typically address conflicts, climate change and global cooperation. No further details about remarks or outcomes were given.

A Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The speech was carried on the UN's official broadcast platform as part of the annual high-level debate, where member states set out their positions before the international body. Details of what the vice minister said were not provided.

Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, delivered a statement during the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The remarks form part of the annual gathering where world leaders set out their governments' positions on international issues. Specific details of Madbouly's address were not provided.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan delivered a statement at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. As is customary for the annual gathering of world leaders, his address covered Pakistan's positions on international issues before the assembled delegations.

China told the UN General Assembly that the international community must safeguard the postwar order, calling on member states to defend the framework established after World War Two. The appeal, delivered on the General Assembly floor, underscores Beijing's positioning of itself as a defender of the existing international system at a time of heightened global tension and debate over the rules-based order.

Russia's Foreign Minister has addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The annual debate brings world leaders and top diplomats to the UN headquarters each September. The Russian minister's speech is being closely watched for signals of Moscow's position on the war in Ukraine and its wider relations with the West.

A Minister of State at the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The remarks form part of the annual gathering where member states set out their foreign policy positions on global issues. Details of the specific points raised in the address have not been released.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has delivered a speech to the UN Security Council during the General Assembly, with footage of the address now circulating widely. The speech covers Russia's war against Ukraine and is drawing attention alongside related debates on NATO, European security and Poland's role in the conflict.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi delivered a statement at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The remarks were circulated by regional and international media covering the annual gathering of world leaders, where heads of state and government set out their countries' positions on global affairs.

Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon, delivered a statement at 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 world leaders present their countries' positions on conflicts, sovereignty and international cooperation. Lebanon's intervention draws attention as the country navigates regional tensions and ongoing security challenges along its border with Israel.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide delivered Norway's statement at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. As with other national addresses in the annual debate, the speech set out Norway's positions on current international issues before the UN membership.

Roberto Velasco Álvarez, Mexico's Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered a statement during the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. His remarks form part of the annual gathering where member states outline their positions on global affairs, multilateral cooperation and pressing international challenges before the assembly.

At the 2026 United Nations General Assembly, the European Union is presenting a platform centred on strengthening multilateralism, upholding international law, and reforming the UN. The bloc is positioning itself as a defender of the rules-based international order, with EU diplomatic messaging at the assembly emphasising institutional renewal at the world body.

Haiti's Prime Minister, Alex Didier Fils-Aimé, delivered a statement during the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. His address puts Haiti's ongoing political crisis, gang violence and humanitarian emergency before the international community, as the country continues to seek international security support and a path back to elections.

Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta, delivered a statement at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Details of his remarks have not been widely reported yet, so the specific positions he took remain unclear. The address places Malta among the member states setting out their national positions at this year's assembly.

At the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Niger thanked Algeria, Sweden highlighted its commitment to women's rights, and China addressed the situations in Gaza and Cuba. The remarks came during the annual general debate, where member states set out their foreign policy priorities. Niger's gratitude to Algeria points to regional diplomacy in the Sahel, while China's statements underscore its positions on the Gaza conflict and Cuba.

South Sudan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The speech came as part of the annual gathering where member states outline their positions on international peace, security and development. Details of the address have not been broadly reported beyond the UN's coverage of the session.