UN General Assembly 2026 opens general debate with all 193 member states invited

The United Nations General Assembly's 2026 general debate opens on September 22, marking the start of the annual gathering at which representatives of all 193 UN member states are invited to address the assembly.

The general debate is one of the most prominent fixtures on the international diplomatic calendar, drawing heads of state, government ministers and senior diplomats to the UN headquarters in New York. Each year, the session offers governments a platform to set out their positions on major global issues, ranging from armed conflicts and security crises to climate change, trade and development.

With every member state entitled to take the floor, the debate typically stretches over roughly a week, as delegations line up to deliver national statements before the full assembly. The order and scheduling of speakers is coordinated in advance, though last-minute changes are common as leaders' travel plans shift.

This year's session comes against a backdrop of multiple ongoing international tensions, including conflicts and diplomatic disputes in several regions, which are expected to feature heavily in many of the speeches delivered from the podium.

Beyond the formal addresses, the days surrounding the general debate are traditionally used for a dense schedule of bilateral and multilateral meetings, as officials use their presence in New York to hold talks on the margins of the assembly.

The general debate is expected to continue for several days following its opening, with the full list of speakers and specific scheduling determined by the UN according to its established rotation and priority arrangements for heads of state and government.