EXPLAINER: UNGA 81: 5 Key Takeaways From General Debate

The 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) concluded on Monday and the general debate was dominated by discussions on artificial intelligence (AI), the Israel-Palestine conflict, Iran, global security and calls for reform of the international system.

World leaders used their addresses to outline their positions on some of the most pressing global challenges, while several bilateral meetings and high-level engagements took place on the sidelines of the gathering.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in what was his final address before the end of his tenure, warned that the future would be shaped by four major tests: artificial intelligence, climate change, war and inequality.

“Across all four tests, the decisive issue is power. Power over force, money, energy, technology, rules and the future. That is why the UN Charter – and the work of the United Nations – matter more than ever,” Guterres said.

Speeches ranged from calls for UN reform to appeals for respect for international law, amid concerns over the impact of United States President Donald Trump’s unilateral foreign policy on the global body.

Here are the biggest takeaways from this year’s summit:

1. Palestine

The Israel-Palestine conflict remained one of the major issues at UNGA 81, with several countries calling for Palestinian statehood and an end to the violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

France, Canada, Iraq, the United Kingdom and other countries used their speeches to call for Palestinian sovereignty.

French President Emmanuel Macron questioned the international community’s response to the situation in Gaza.

“What credibility do we have if we continue to remain inactive in the face of Gaza,” Macron said.

“Some boast of a supposed peace, but this peace hasn’t reopened humanitarian routes for a single second,” he said, adding: “Must we stand by and watch this spectacle that shames us all?”

Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also chaired a meeting on Palestinian statehood on the sidelines of the UNGA.

The meeting came amid continued international debate over Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the future political status of Palestine.

Meanwhile, the US-led Board of Peace unveiled a 66-project reconstruction blueprint for Gaza, with proposed funding of $2.4 billion.

The plan, however, excludes the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), saying the agency should have no role in the future of Gaza.

Palestinian political analyst and playwright Ahmed Najar described the decision to Al Jazeera as part of efforts to “marginalise and ultimately dismantle the agency, removing it not only from Gaza’s present but from its future”.

Dozens of delegates also walked out of the UN General Assembly hall during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address in protest.

Netanyahu said Israeli forces would continue fighting against Hamas and Iran.

2. Trump Defends Military Action In Venezuela And Iran

United States President Donald Trump used his address to defend his administration’s military actions and foreign policy.

Trump said that while other leaders spoke about peace, he had “made peace”.

He defended the US operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, claiming that hundreds of political prisoners had subsequently been freed.

Trump also said Caracas had signed what he described as the largest oil deal in history, involving “65 billion barrels of oil, which will benefit both Venezuela and the United States enormously and help drive down the cost of energy all over the world”.

“It was perhaps the biggest deal ever made. To the victor belong the spoils – you’ve all heard that,” Trump said.

On Iran, Trump reiterated that the United States would not allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.

He said the 12-day war in July 2025 had “obliterated their nuclear programme beneath mountains of rubble” and claimed the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran had sunk “159 ships of their navy” to the bottom of the sea.

“I have a big decision to make – will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before … or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again,” Trump said.

He added: “I believe we make a deal right after the elections.”

3. Iranian Officials Attract Diplomatic Attention

Iranian officials featured prominently in several high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his address, said Iran had only “defended ourselves” following attacks on the country and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, scientists and children.

“We are not terrorists, our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country,” Pezeshkian said.

He also rejected the idea that peaceful nuclear technology should be controlled exclusively by a small number of countries.

“We will not bow our head and give up the right that is inherently ours,” he said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also held meetings with counterparts from India, Qatar, Türkiye, Pakistan, Ukraine and other countries.

He also met US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in a four-hour meeting reportedly mediated by Qatar.

The engagements highlighted the continuing diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, regional security and the wider conflict in the Middle East.

4. AI Dominance 

Artificial intelligence emerged as another major issue during the general debate, with world leaders calling for greater international cooperation on the technology.

In his address, Finnish President Alexander Stubb described AI as the “most consequential technology in the history of mankind”.

“It will impact science, the economy, politics, security, and the very essence of our humanity. Humans can and should be in the driver’s seat. We have a choice: we can compete, cooperate or slow down. For me, cooperation is the best way forward,” Stubb said.

While the European Union and Guterres called for safety standards and international rules for AI, Trump argued against international regulations that could restrict innovation.

The debate reflected a growing divide over how governments should balance AI development, innovation, safety and regulation.

5. Xi Jinping Skips UNGA

Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the UNGA, despite being in the United States for a summit with Trump.

Xi instead sent Vice President Han Zheng to represent China at the gathering.

Xi rarely attends the UN General Assembly in person. Last year, China was represented by Premier Li Qiang, while Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the gathering in 2024.

In his address, Han reiterated China’s position on conflicts in the Middle East and called for respect for the sovereignty and security of countries in the region.

“China calls for advancing the governance of the West Bank and the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza in accordance with the principle of the Palestinians governing Palestine. It also calls for bringing the Palestinian question back onto the right track of the two-state solution at an early date,” Han said.

On artificial intelligence, he called for a “people-centred approach” and urged countries to develop AI “for the positive and for good”, narrow the digital divide and promote development that benefits people universally.