High-Level Meetings of the Eighty-First General Assembly

22 September 2026

Blog

General Assembly, 5th & 6th Meetings (AM & PM) 22 September 2026

As world leaders gather in New York for the opening of the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly, the general debate will unfold at a moment of profound global uncertainty and transformation. Under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all”, Heads of State and Government will take the iconic UN podium to outline their priorities and visions for addressing today’s most pressing challenges. From conflicts and humanitarian crises to runaway artificial intelligence (AI), climate action, sustainable development and economic resilience, this year’s debate is expected to spotlight the urgent need for renewed multilateral cooperation in an increasingly fragmented world.

22 September 2026

Biographical Note

GA/12786

Khalilur Rahman President of Eighty-First General Assembly

On 2 June 2026, the United Nations General Assembly elected Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh as President of its eighty-first session, which runs from September 2026 until September 2027.

22 September 2026

Press Release

SG/SM/23292

Opening General Debate, Secretary-General Warns Power Must Be Governed by Law, Cooperation as Global ‘Fault Lines’ Widen

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ address to the opening of the general debate of the eighty-first session of the General Assembly, in New York today:

22 September 2026

Meetings Coverage

GA/12785

Amid Widening Global Fault Lines, Power of Law Must Prevail over Law of Power, Secretary-General Urges, as General Assembly Kicks Off High-Level Debate

A world increasingly divided by war, geopolitical rivalry and disregard for international law confronted the growing chasm between values and reality today, as global leaders gathered in New York to open the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly.

17 September 2026

Meetings Coverage

GA/12784

General Assembly Adopts Resolution Allowing State of Palestine to Participate Virtually in High-Level Debate

The General Assembly today adopted a text to enable the high-level Palestinian delegation to participate virtually in the general debate next week, even as the representative of the United States said that the Palestinian Authority is subsidizing terrorists and using diplomatic theatre.

16 September 2026

Press Conference

SG/SM/23282

Press Conference by Secretary-General António Guterres at United Nations Headquarters

Following is a transcript of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press conference at the start of the eighty-first session of the General Assembly, in New York today: