world leaders

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb'. The statement comes as world leaders prepare to gather in New York, with Iran's nuclear programme and ongoing talks over sanctions and inspections expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

World leaders, including Iran's representative, are delivering speeches on the second day of the 2026 UN General Assembly in New York, with proceedings carried live by news outlets. The annual gathering draws global attention as heads of state address conflicts, including Ukraine, and broader diplomatic tensions in front of a worldwide audience.

President Donald Trump spoke at the United Nations summit in New York, addressing an audience of world leaders. His remarks were broadcast live by major US outlets and drew large audiences, with coverage focusing on his messaging to the international community on issues including security and terrorism.

The UN General Assembly, the largest annual gathering in world diplomacy, is underway in New York as of September 22, 2026. Coverage is focusing on what to expect from this year's session, including the annual leaders' addresses and the diplomatic meetings held on the sidelines as heads of state and government converge for the week.

Donald Trump delivered a full address to the UN General Assembly in New York, covering the war with Iran, his tariff policy, and a blunt warning that 'Cuba will fall.' The speech drew wide attention as it set out his administration's foreign policy stances directly to world leaders gathered at the United Nations.

Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron clashed publicly at the United Nations over Gaza, exposing a sharp divide between the US and France on how to address the conflict. The confrontation between the two leaders has drawn wide attention, highlighting growing international disagreements over the war and the path to a resolution.

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.

United Nations leaders have renewed calls to combat racism and discrimination, marking 25 years since the 2001 World Conference against Racism held in Durban, South Africa. UN officials say racism remains a global problem and urged member states to recommit to the promises made at the Durban conference. The anniversary is prompting reflection on progress made and the work still needed to achieve equality.

The United Nations is hosting a live session where world leaders assess progress in the global fight against racism. Speakers are taking stock of commitments made against racial discrimination and what remains to be done. The high-level meeting is drawing international attention as governments outline their national efforts and calls grow for stronger action against racism worldwide.

World leaders, citing climate change as an existential threat, are demanding that the United Nations function effectively on the issue. The call reflects frustration among governments over stalled international climate action and the UN's struggles to deliver coordinated global responses to warming, extreme weather and rising sea levels affecting member states.

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.

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.

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.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature used the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week to advance its agenda on nature protection, ocean conservation and climate action. The organisation says the gatherings offered a key moment to push for stronger commitments linking biodiversity and climate policy ahead of upcoming global negotiations.

World leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly told one another that humanity is 'in this together', a message of shared responsibility on global challenges. The line has been picked up widely across US and international outlets, but commentary is focusing on the practical question: how that solidarity would actually operate in practice on issues like conflict, climate and cooperation.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino appeared at the World Leaders Forum, where he addressed national sovereignty, migration, and climate change. The remarks come as Panama faces sustained pressure over migration routes through the Darién Gap and growing climate concerns affecting the country, including drought-related constraints on the Panama Canal. His appearance drew attention from students and regional observers.

UNESCO has unveiled its ONE OCEAN installation during the UN General Assembly in New York. The installation forms part of the organization's ongoing ocean advocacy, timed to coincide with the annual gathering of world leaders where marine protection and climate issues are on the agenda.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, South Sudan's UN envoy Cecilia Adeng called for international sanctions against the country to be lifted. The appeal was made during the annual gathering of world leaders, where Juba argued the measures should be removed. The intervention drew attention as South Sudan continues to press for normalised relations with the international community.

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 Wall Street Journal reports that a G-20 summit hosted by Donald Trump could bring Vladimir Putin back to the world stage in what it calls a spectacle of the century. Discussion is focused on how a gathering involving Trump and Putin would reshape diplomacy, drawing intense attention from global leaders and media.

South Sudan has used its platform at the United Nations General Assembly to call for international sanctions imposed on the country to be lifted. The appeal, made during the annual gathering of world leaders in New York, marks Juba's latest push to normalize relations and ease economic and political restrictions. Details of the specific measures targeted and the international response remain limited.

Envoys representing President Trump say they made 'real progress' after holding marathon meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The sessions covered diplomacy with world leaders gathered for the annual assembly, and the envoys characterized the outcome as substantive. Details of what was agreed have not been laid out, but the team's upbeat framing is drawing attention amid intense diplomatic activity.

Jordan Bardella, president of France's far-right National Rally party, has rejected a media report claiming he made antisemitic remarks, calling the allegation false. The denial was picked up by international outlets including Reuters and U.S. News & World Report. The dispute comes as Bardella is a leading figure in French politics ahead of the next presidential election, with his party seeking to shed its antisemitic image.

The United Nations is holding a commemoration of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the 2001 anti-racism framework adopted at the World Conference Against Racism in South Africa. Coverage is focusing on what will be on the meeting's agenda and which member states and leaders plan to attend, with attention on divisions among Western countries that have previously boycotted Durban-related events over accusations of antisemitism at earlier conferences.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Congo 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 member states set out their positions on international peace, security and development. Details of the minister's specific remarks have not yet been widely reported.

Costa Rica's Permanent Representative to the United Nations addressed the General Assembly during its 81st session debate. The country used the annual high-level forum to set out its positions before the 193 member states, a traditional fixture of the September gathering at UN headquarters in New York. Costa Rica, which abolished its army in 1948, typically emphasizes disarmament, human rights and multilateralism in its UN statements.

Two demonstrators identified as Kawas and Orkin were arrested during protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his address to the UN General Assembly in New York. The arrests highlight heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli leader's visit, with protesters gathering to denounce his government's policies as world leaders convene for the annual assembly.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has signalled willingness to increase money distributed from the organisation's roughly $6 billion reserves. In a letter responding to proposals from UEFA's Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf's leadership, Infantino opened the door to greater sharing of FIFA's wealth with federations and confederations. The move comes as football governing bodies debate how to use reserves built up from recent World Cups and commercial growth.

Higher education leaders are arguing that colleges must adapt to artificial intelligence and shifting student needs to stay relevant. The discussion, highlighted by U.S. News & World Report, focuses on how institutions should rethink teaching, curricula and support services as AI changes the job market and student expectations.

The United Nations General Assembly is in its sixth day of the 2026 session in New York, with world leaders and diplomats continuing scheduled speeches, meetings and side negotiations. Coverage so far offers few details beyond the day itself, and specific topics dominating the agenda on day six have not been widely reported yet.