The 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) opens on September 8, 2026, with the General Debate kicking off on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, two weeks later. World leaders will convene in New York to discuss solutions to the world’s most pressing global issues, from climate change to global health to peace, security, and humanitarian response. This year, the race for UN Secretary-General is likely to dominate the conversations, as momentum builds toward the selection of the next leader.