Archive · 17 Sep 2026
World Leaders Gather at UN to Address Global Crises
Leaders from many countries are going to New York for a major United Nations meeting.
They will give speeches about world problems and the UN’s plans.
Brazil speaks first, and the United States speaks second.
Speakers are asked to talk for about 15 minutes.
Important subjects include artificial intelligence, Iran, Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinians, Sudan, and climate change.
Countries will also discuss who might become the next UN secretary-general.
Some meetings will happen outside the main speeches, including talks about wars and a two-state solution.
The UN cannot easily act on Ukraine because Russia can veto Security Council decisions.
The gathering is meant to rebuild trust and help countries work together.
World leaders will gather in New York for several days of high-level debate at the United Nations General Assembly.
This year’s session theme is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
Speeches and side meetings are expected to focus on artificial intelligence, Iran, Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinians, Sudan, and climate change.
Leaders are asked to limit speeches to 15 minutes; Brazil traditionally speaks first, followed by the United States.
The UN has begun selecting a successor to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.
- Who
- World leaders, government representatives, UN officials, and leaders of observer states will participate.
- What
- The United Nations General Assembly will hold several days of high-level speeches and related diplomatic meetings.
- When
- The high-level debate starts on Tuesday in September; the session is the 81st General Assembly session.
- Where
- United Nations headquarters in New York.
- Why
- Leaders will address the session theme and global issues including conflicts, artificial intelligence, climate change, and the selection of a future secretary-general.
Calls for accountability
Israeli denial and legal position
Allegations involving Benjamin Netanyahu
Calls for accountability
The International Criminal Court wants Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza; New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said Netanyahu should be arrested.
Israeli denial and legal position
Israel denies the allegations. Mamdani said he lacked the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu.
- Session theme
- “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
- UN membership
- The United Nations has 193 member states, up from 51 original members in 1945.
- Speaking order
- Brazil traditionally speaks first, followed by the United States as host country.
- Speech limit
- Leaders are asked to observe a voluntary 15-minute limit.
- Major topics
- Artificial intelligence, Iran, Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinians, Sudan, climate change, and UN leadership.
- Secretary-general transition
- Antonio Guterres’s second five-year term ends on December 31, 2026.
- Observer participation
- The Holy See, the State of Palestine, and the European Union can speak in designated observer capacities.