World leaders and international delegations addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in late September 2026. The speeches, delivered during the General Debate at UN headquarters, touched on themes of climate change, international law, and the representation of small states in global affairs.
The annual gathering provided a platform for representatives from diverse regions. Leaders from Barbados, Slovenia, Hungary, Ireland, and The Comoros spoke on Thursday, September 24, while officials from Brunei, Iceland, Moldova, Cabo Verde, Belize, and the Vatican delivered remarks on Saturday, September 26.
During the Saturday session, Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei stated that "rebuilding confidence does not mean returning to a world that no longer exists." Prime Minister Francisco Avelino Vieira de Carvalho of Cabo Verde remarked that the "size of a territory must never determine the size of its dreams," while Prime Minister Vasile Tofan of Moldova described his country as having "everything it takes to make it a great country." Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, told the assembly that "peace is not a negative word."
On Thursday, September 24, Barbados President Mia Amor Mottley addressed climate change, stating that "the time for simply setting out goals is behind us." Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa advocated for a United Nations that delivers for all, noting that the organization must not "respond loudly to some crises and quietly to others." Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that "narrow self-interest is breaking the bonds of solidarity," and Hungarian President András Baka stated that "power earns trust only when it respects law."
The statements from these leaders represent nations across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The General Debate continued through late September.