What to know about the 2026 UN General Assembly

Published September 21, 2026 8:50am ET



World leaders are descending on New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly, with wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, climate change, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence expected to dominate the annual diplomatic gathering.

The 81st session of the General Assembly opened earlier this month, but its centerpiece, the high-level general debate, begins Tuesday and runs through Monday, Sept. 28. Nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to participate.

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