United Nations General Assembly

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has continued into its fifth day of general debate, with proceedings held in the General Assembly Hall at UN headquarters in New York. World leaders and senior diplomats traditionally use the annual debate to set out national positions on conflict, development and global cooperation. The hall itself, filled with delegations during speeches, remains a focal image of the session.

Multiple national delegations walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall during a speech by Donald Trump, leaving rows of empty seats as he addressed world leaders. The walkouts drew wide attention, with supporters dismissing them as political grandstanding and critics calling them a sign of declining global confidence in the US administration's positions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb,' speaking ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The pledge, reported by APT, comes as Tehran seeks to reassure the international community about its nuclear programme and shapes expectations for Iran's diplomatic posture at the New York gathering.

The foreign ministers of Germany and Russia have met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, a rare direct encounter between the two governments since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine strained ties. Contacts between Berlin and Moscow at ministerial level have been almost nonexistent in recent years, making the meeting notable for diplomacy watchers, though details of what was discussed remain limited.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2026, with the full address broadcast live. The speech drew heavy attention as Israel's conduct in Gaza, regional security and relations with international bodies remain at the centre of global diplomatic debate. Viewers and commentators have been reacting to his remarks and the reception he received at the assembly.

Iran's president addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and CNN offered its first reactions to the speech. Coverage focused on how the address lands amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional conflicts, with analysts weighing Tehran's messaging to the international community.

Speakers from Global South countries voiced support for Cuba at the United Nations General Assembly, pushing back against the US embargo and Trump administration policy. The remarks came as part of the annual UN debate, where ending the US embargo against Cuba has long drawn near-unanimous backing from member states. The footage, produced by news collective Belly of the Beast, highlights those statements and the divide between Washington and much of the world over Cuba policy.

World leaders are returning to the United Nations General Assembly with the organisation under pressure from ongoing wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Beyond the conflicts, the UN faces a crisis of morale and finances, alongside uncertainty over who will next lead the 80-year-old institution, making this year's gathering a test of its relevance and cohesion.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany met in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, in the first talks at that level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a notable thaw in contacts between Moscow and a leading European Union power, coming as diplomacy over the war and its aftermath draws renewed attention at the United Nations.

Donald Trump's address to the United Nations General Assembly is drawing widespread attention, with coverage focusing on twelve standout moments from the speech. Senator Adam Schiff highlighted these moments, fueling political debate about what Trump said on the world stage. Reactions span praise from supporters and sharp criticism from opponents, keeping the speech at the center of political conversation.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addressed the United Nations General Assembly session in New York, and the full text of his speech has been widely shared. Observers in India and abroad are watching closely for his remarks on global conflicts, multilateral reform and India's foreign policy positions at the annual gathering of world leaders.

Germany's Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs took the floor at the United Nations in New York to address the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The address forms part of Germany's annual statement of its foreign policy positions before the international community, delivered alongside speeches from other member states during the assembly's high-level week.

The United Nations General Assembly's annual general debate has entered its fourth day in New York, with world leaders continuing to deliver set-piece speeches on global challenges. UN News is providing a 'Takeaway' summary of the day's key moments, as attention focuses on the major speeches and diplomatic exchanges from the gathering of heads of state and government.

Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs delivered an address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly during its general debate. The statement forms part of the annual gathering in New York where member states set out their positions on global issues. Details of the speech's content have not been widely reported, and reactions to it are not yet clear.

Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered an address during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The speech comes as world leaders gather for the annual high-level week to set out their governments' positions on global security, trade and multilateral cooperation, with Canada's intervention closely watched by allies and observers of UN diplomacy.

Malaysia's Minister for Foreign Affairs has addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The minister's remarks were delivered as part of the annual gathering where UN member states set out their positions on international peace and security, development and multilateral cooperation. Details of the specific points raised in the address were not immediately available.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus delivered an address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly during its general debate in New York. The statement comes as member states gather to set out their foreign policy positions before the assembly. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, typically draws attention for its stance on the war in Ukraine and wider East-West tensions.

Global diplomacy dominated this week's news, with world leaders gathering in New York for the United Nations General Assembly and Chinese President Xi Jinping travelling to the United States for a high-profile visit. The back-to-back events put international relations, US-China tensions, and multilateral cooperation at the centre of political discussion worldwide.

Cameroon's Minister for Foreign Affairs took the floor at the United Nations in New York during the general debate of the 81st session of the General Assembly. The address forms part of the annual gathering where member states set out their positions on global security, development and multilateral cooperation. Details of the specific points raised by the minister were not immediately available, but the speech adds Cameroon's voice to the opening week of high-level diplomacy at the UN.

Jamaica's Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. As part of the annual gathering, the minister set out Jamaica's positions on international issues before delegates from UN member states. The speech is one of many national addresses delivered during the high-level week, when foreign ministers and heads of state take the floor to outline their governments' foreign policy priorities.

Tunisia's Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The annual debate brings together world leaders to set out their countries' positions on international peace and security, development and regional issues. Tunisia's intervention comes as North African and Mediterranean states weigh in on migration, climate concerns and conflicts across the Middle East and Sahel during this year's gathering.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Gabon 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 foreign policy priorities before the international community. Gabon's intervention comes as delegations from around the world deliver statements on global peace, security and development.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan delivered an address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly debate in New York. The speech forms part of the annual general debate, where world leaders present their countries' positions on international issues. The content of the address and the reaction to it have not yet been detailed.

The United States and European Union have rejected a UN General Assembly resolution backing an international pandemic collaboration treaty. The move undermines efforts to create a binding global framework for coordinating responses to future health emergencies. Critics of the treaty have raised concerns over national sovereignty, while public health advocates argue global cooperation is essential to prevent a repeat of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of San Marino delivered an address 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 UN member states, large and small, outline their foreign policy priorities. As one of the world's smallest republics, San Marino's participation highlights the assembly's equal-standing format for all member nations.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sao Tome and Principe addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The small island nation used its allotted speaking slot to take part in the annual gathering of world leaders, where member states outline their foreign policy priorities and positions on global issues before the UN membership.

The United Nations General Assembly convened its 13th and 14th plenary meetings in morning and afternoon sessions on 26 September 2026, according to official meetings coverage. The agenda items under discussion were not specified in the announcement, which falls during the Assembly's high-level general debate period.

China used its address to the United Nations General Assembly to argue that global development is the key solution to the world's challenges, repeating a message it has consistently delivered at past UN sessions. Multiple US and international outlets, including AP and ABC News, carried the speech, noting that Beijing framed development aid and cooperation as its central diplomatic pitch on the world stage.