live World leaders return for second day of UN General Assembly

World leaders return for second day of UN General Assembly
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, US, 22 September 2026.
Reuters

The 81st UN General Assembly continues in New York on Wednesday, with another day of high-level speeches and diplomatic meetings. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global security and international cooperation remain at the centre of discussions.

⦿ 14:01 GMT | UPDATE

Iran's Pezeshkian set to address UN for first time since Iran war

Iranian President Masoud is set to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly for the first time since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Iran, and a day after President Donald Trump told the UN in his address that he could ''annihilate the Islamic Republic'' and ''drive them into hell.''

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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⦿ 13:48 GMT | UPDATE

Lavrov and Rubio meet on sidelines of UN General Assembly

Reuters

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to a photo posted on Wednesday on X by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova showing the pair shaking hands.

⦿ 13:08 GMT | UPDATE

Ahmed al-Sharaa: Syria is rising 

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York, U.S., 23 September 2026.
Reuters

Here are the main remarks of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as he addresses the 81st of the UN General Assembly:

  • ''We combated people smuggling and organised crime and we established security.''
  • ''The world has rejoiced the recovery of Syria, but Israel continues attacks.''
  • “Last year I said Syria came back. Today, I say Syria is rising.''
  • ''We proved to the world that the security of the country starts in Damascus.'' 
  • ''Any attempts that violate our sovereignty, violate international law will be stopped. Golan will remain Syrian territories.''
  • ''Syria will continue its reconstruction and will continue to restore its dignity from this rostrum.''
  • ''We reject Israeli attempts to impose a fait accompli. We reject their aggressions which undermines peace and security.''

⦿ 12:59 GMT | UPDATE

UN General Debate enters second day in New York

World leaders return to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday for the second day of the high-level General Debate, with speeches and diplomatic meetings continuing at UN headquarters in New York.

The Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war remain among the major issues shaping discussions, alongside global security, humanitarian crises and the future of international cooperation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are among the leaders due to address the General Assembly on Wednesday.

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