Overview

• Several European governments, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco, used UN events to announce or confirm recognition of a State of Palestine, following moves by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal.
• A France–Saudi conference backing a two‑state solution preceded the recognitions and was boycotted by Israel and the United States, who criticized the initiative.
• Opening the 80th session, António Guterres condemned collective punishment and the systematic destruction of Gaza, reiterated his denunciation of the October 7 Hamas attack, and urged adherence to International Court of Justice decisions.
• The General Debate runs through September 29 under the theme “Better together,” with Assembly president Annalena Baerbock presiding and President Donald Trump returning to the UN podium for the first time in five years.
• Guterres pressed for UN reform as proposed 2026 budget cuts and the Security Council veto were cited as obstacles to decisive action on conflicts including Gaza and Ukraine.