UNGA 2026 Opens With Global Leaders Addressing UN Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly opened its high-level debate on Tuesday, September 22, with nearly 130 heads of state and government taking turns at the podium in New York. The annual gathering, held at UN headquarters along the East River in Manhattan, runs through Saturday with a break on Sunday, then resumes Monday. It is the centerpiece of the UNGA's annual session, which began two weeks earlier when Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh assumed the presidency.

The debate follows a ritual as old as the institution itself. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke first, delivering what is expected to be his final address before his term ends on December 31. Khalilur Rahman then formally opened the debate. By tradition established in 1955, Brazil spoke first among member states—a practice born from that year when no other nation volunteered to break the silence. The United States, as host country, followed second. President Donald Trump took the podium around 9:45 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning. For the remaining 191 members, speaking order was determined by level of representation, stated preferences, and geographic balance. Speakers have a voluntary 15-minute limit, though many exceed it. The sessions run from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day, continuing until all scheduled speakers have finished.

One absence loomed large. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was not present. For the second consecutive year, the Trump administration denied a visa to the Palestinian leader, citing security or diplomatic grounds. After member states voted to permit it, Abbas addressed the assembly by prerecorded video instead. The decision drew sharp criticism from the UN itself, which argued it violated the Host Country Agreement—a binding accord that obligates the United States to grant full diplomatic immunity and travel access to heads of state attending annual meetings. The UN noted this was not the first time such a denial had occurred. In 1988, the Reagan administration refused entry to Yasser Arafat, forcing that year's UNGA to relocate to Geneva.

The 81st session carries the theme "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all." Beyond the speeches themselves, the UN scheduled high-level meetings on climate action and just transition, sea level rise, pandemic preparedness, nuclear weapons elimination, and commemorations marking the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development and the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration against racism. Diplomats expected many speakers to address the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, the implications of artificial intelligence, and the UN's chronic funding constraints.

Underlying the week was another current: the race to succeed Guterres. The UN Security Council continues informal voting on candidates, though no formal recommendation is expected this week. Seven candidates remain in contention—four women and three men—with more potentially entering. They include Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, Ivonne Baki and Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Macky Sall of Senegal, and Olara Otunnu of Uganda. In the most recent informal vote, Grynspan led with nine of 15 Security Council members encouraging her candidacy, while Rodrigues-Birkett came second with eight. Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet withdrew after securing support from only one member. Several permanent Security Council members have publicly stated they want the first woman to lead the organization in its 81-year history. The Council must reach consensus on a single candidate with no vetoes from its five permanent members before recommending anyone to the full assembly.