What did UN Secretary-General António Guterres say at the opening of UNGA 81?
In his last speech to open the General Assembly’s general debate, Secretary-General António Guterres said the world’s crises are all one story, the story of power, and set out “four great tests of power”: war, inequality, climate and artificial intelligence. “The power of law must prevail over the law of power,” he said.
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He presented his annual report on the work of the Organization before the general debate began, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
The speech in brief
- His farewell. His second term ends on December 31, 2026, so this was his last opening address to world leaders.
- One story. War, inequality, climate and AI are “not separate crises”, he said, but chapters of one story about power and who answers to the rules.
- War. Ceasefires have become only “lesser fires”. He called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a clear violation of the UN Charter, and raised Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan and Myanmar.
- A multipolar world. The move to many centers of power “is irreversible”, and the superpowers need to accept that “their power isn’t so super”.
- Climate. He called it “the most profound intergenerational power imbalance of all”.
- AI. He called for binding global rules and a ban on killer robots.
The Security Council.
“A 21st century Security Council without permanent African seats is unjust and indefensible.”
In his own words
The fault lines in our world are widening. Cracks have become canyons.
“These are not separate crises. They are chapters of the same story. The story of power.”
“The danger is not technology. The danger is technology without accountability.”
“Life-and-death decisions must never be surrendered to machines. Killer robots must have no place in our future.”
“Equality is not a dream. It is a decision.”
“The world does not need a weaker United Nations. It needs a UN strong enough to face the world as it is and determined enough to build the world as it should be.”
“The greatest power is not the power to dominate. It is the power to build a future that works for everyone.”
Worth knowing
- The Security Council is choosing his successor this year. The next Secretary-General takes office on January 1, 2027.
- Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi did not attend the session.
Watch and read the full speech
Video of the address:
UN Web TVWatch Secretary-General António Guterres’s address on UN Web TVThe UN posts the statement on its general debate website.
Every Day 1 speaker, in order: What happened on Day 1 of UNGA 81.
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