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The general debate of the 81st session will be held from Tuesday, 22 September to Saturday, 26 September, and on Monday, 28 September 2026.
The theme for the general debate of the 81st session of the General Assembly is "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all".
Learn more about the General Debate in the FAQ.
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Previously
President of the General Assembly
Permanent Representative to the United Nations
No matter the challenge. No matter the obstacle. No matter the hour. We must – and we will – overcome. Because in a world of many choices, there is one choice we must never make: The choice to give up. We must never give up.
Where do country representatives sit?
Sitting arrangements in the General Assembly Hall changes for each session. During the 81st Session (2026-2027), Morocco occupies the first seat in the Hall, including in the Main Committees (followed by all the other countries, in English alphabetical order).
A Viking gavel?
In 1952, Iceland, believed to be the oldest democracy in the world, presented the UN with a special gavel. This gavel has since been used to open and close meetings open or closed, mark the approval of the agenda, etc. and sometimes to restore order.
How long are the speeches?
A voluntary 15-minute limit is asked to be observed, but some speeches are longer. The record for the general debate? Cuba, in 1980: 269 minutes. 1960 was the year with most very long statements: Guinea (144 minutes), USSR (140 minutes) and Indonesia (121 minutes).
H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman, President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe.
The General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly is the opportunity for Heads of State and Government to come together at the UN Headquarters and discuss world issues.
On this site, you will find a daily list of speakers, with links to individual pages for each speaker. These pages will be published as soon possible and will present information pertaining to the speaker: an on-demand video, the statement (.pdf) and a summary of the statement, a downloadable photo, and audio files (.mp3).