|
Angelo Neil Augustine, Disha V, Yaazhini Thiruchelvi DD and Srishti HS
4 October 2026 |
António Guterres, Secretary General, the United Nations
António Guterres addressed the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, opening with the destruction caused by war worldwide and the widening divisions in the international system. He proposed “networked multipolarity” to address a fragmented international system driven by zero-sum calculations. He stressed the need for power to be guided by law, cooperation and responsibility towards future generations. The address concluded by stressing the continued relevance of the UN's principles by stating, “In a world marked by turbulence, division and uncertainty, the United Nations is more necessary than ever”, and the idea that the exercise of power should serve a shared future rather than domination.
Dr Khalilur Rahman, President of the General Assembly, the United Nations
Dr Khalilur Rahman addressed the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, focusing on the need to restore confidence in the UN system and enhance its operational effectiveness. He acknowledged its failures in addressing conflicts and crises, particularly in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar and the wider Middle East. The President identified Security Council reform as a key concern, paying particular attention to Africa’s under-representation and stressing that “Africa needs to be at the table, not on the menu.” The President also stressed the importance of human rights in peace and development. Towards the end of his speech, he addressed the growing importance of artificial intelligence and stated, “We need to keep the doors of the United Nations unlocked to those developing and using AI. Not someday, now”. In his concluding remarks, the President highlighted the necessity of a United Nations capable of acknowledging its shortcomings, committed to structural transformation, and open to engaging crucial partners.
Donald Trump, President, United States of America
President Donald Trump addressed highlighted the United States’ economic, military and technological strength. The president defended military action against Iran and stated: “I will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. Turning to the Middle East, Trump highlighted the Gaza conflict and claimed that U.S. diplomatic efforts had contributed to ending the war and securing the return of hostages. Trump then addressed U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere, particularly Venezuela, Mexico and Cuba. He also discussed the agreement concerning Greenland, asserting an expanded U.S. presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic as important for the security of the United States and Europe. He criticised the International Criminal Court, arguing that it had no jurisdiction over the United States, and called on its member states to withdraw from the institution. He also argued for rebranding Artificial Intelligence as Super Intelligence. Trump concluded his address by calling on nations to remain strong and united and to pursue these goals through what he described as bold action.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister, Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated how destruction of Iran’s nuclear facility was an act of self- defence and was a part of wider efforts to ensure security beyond its borders. He rejected allegations of Genocide in Gaza and established that in fact Israel had “prevented” a genocide. Upon the multiple fronts that Israel is fighting its war for survival, he also mentioned how Israel is having to fight misinformation and disinformation by popular media networks such as Al Jazeera and made claims of how the media and international press is biased on covering the on-going issue in Gaza. Upon criticisms of settler colonialism, he called out former Imperial European states on their stance on the on-going issue of Palestine as hypocritical given their colonial history. He then went on to thank President Trump for his assistance in dealing with Iran and hostages of Gaza. He then concluded by reaffirming Israel’s territorial policies after drawing upon Israel’s historical roots and claims over territory.
Emmanuel Macron, President, France
Emmanuel Macron, emphasised on greater international unity and cooperation by defending state sovereignty and a multipolar world on the face of a new world order that seems to be established. He brought attention to 2 key areas, namely climate change and AI as arenas that require international cooperation, North- South Cooperation and the need for international action in the on-going conflict zones such as the Middle East and Ukraine. An important part of his address was affirming with the call to reform the Security Council for the inclusion of Africa. His speech in short echoed the importance of international law and justice for ensuring a just world order according to the notions of the Geneva convention.
Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister, Russia
Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister, brought attention to the Global South and East as sovereign centres of development. He brought attention to the Russian approach to cooperation by citing examples of Russia’s partnership with BRICS, SCO and CIS. He criticised the acts of the USA in Venezuela and Iran as unacceptable and coercive and held the USA responsible for creating “Russophobic” tendencies in the European security system. He welcomed reforms to the Security Council’s membership, extending support to bidders like India and Brazil along with Africa. He then went on to criticise Europe and the USA for thwarting possibilities of Peace talks with Ukraine and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to its special operations to ensure its national security. He concluded his speech by calling for collective action on areas such as climate change and AI in a multipolar world based on equal cooperation that would reflect the emerging realities.
Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, India
Dr Jaishankar focussed on conflicts and confrontations leading to threatening progress, retarding peace and inability to maintain peace among multiple nations, adding concerns to disruption of food, energy and commerce. Further he voiced India’s deep concern towards victims of war and continued hostility in Ukraine and Middle East, Palestinian citizens respectively. He stressed on uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce and on strengthening Security. He conveyed the lack of trust and situations of the Global South facing the 4F crisis, being security of Food, Fuel, Fertilizer and Finance. He remarked the statement of Pakistan by addressing them as “a serial practitioner of terrorism” and further pivoting to zero tolerance towards terrorism. He highlighted India’s position at global stage as one of the nations with increasing digital infrastructure and development across 78 nations, and India the first responder to the conflict, epidemic and post natural disasters filling the gaps of food and medicine shortage. He described India's View on AI as a “Transformational driver” and further emphasized on mutual cultural respect and observance of peace as the highest objective. He concluded with a famous quote of Gandhi providing importance to peace as the main objective.
Han Zeng, Vice president, China
China’s Vice president addressed communicating the importance of peace and international development. He emphasized on Global security initiative which was with respect to Post war upliftment of international law and active actions towards common comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; Global civilizational initiative focusing on cultural mutual respect towards countries; and Global governance initiative which is towards international reforms, laws and multilateral development. He voiced concerns towards Palestinian conflict and supported the two-state solution and advocated political resolutions for Ukraine and addressed demands to end sanctions and threats against Cuba. He emphasized the developed nations to prioritize commitments in the area of climate, poverty, energy transition and called for representations of developing countries. He also called for narrowing the digital divide and emphasized on people centered AI. Through this platform He not only conveyed importance for peace and security but also stressed on betterment of international laws and multilateral developments.
Masoud Pezeshkian, President, Iran
President of Iran addressed responded to the US President’s branding Iran as the sponsor of terror, where he argued that Iran was rather the Victim of Terrorism. He further accused USA- Israel for the major assassinations concerning the Supreme leader and many innocent children. He advocated that Iran's actions were that of self-defence rather than attack. He stressed on Iran’s Nuclear development as a peaceful technology and not as the nuclear weaponization, where he also remarked the “Double standards” towards Inspections as it wasn't equally conducted on Israel, a fellow nuclear possessor. He shared Iran’s solidarity towards Palestinians who were subjected to actions of genocide. He conveyed that Iran would be willing to build diplomatic relations but wouldn’t bow to oppression nor accept the language of force.
Reference
1. https://gadebate.un.org/en/81/secretary-general-united-nations
2. https://gadebate.un.org/en/81/president-general-assembly-opening
3. https://gadebate.un.org/en/81/united-states-america
4. https://gadebate.un.org/en/81/israel
5. https://gadebate.un.org/en/81/france
6. https://gadebate.un.org/en/81/russian-federation
7. https://www.mea.gov.in/speeches-statements?dtl/41829/Indias_National_Statement_at_the_81st_session_of_the_UN_General_Assembly
8. https://gadebate.un.org/en/81/china
9. https://gadebate.un.org/en/81/iran-islamic-republic
Angelo Neil Augustine is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace, and Public Policy from St. Joseph's University Bangalore. Disha V is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Relations at South Asian University, New Delhi. Yaazhini Thiruchelvi D D, is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Relations, South Asian University, New Delhi. Srishti HS is an undergraduate student at the Department of History, Economics and Political Science at Mount Carmel University, Bengaluru.
