What did Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg say at the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81)?

He addressed the general debate on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the eleventh speaker of the morning session.

The speech in brief

• A paradox. People have never been so connected, he said, yet seem less and less able to trust each other and cooperate.
• Peace in Europe. It was built deliberately after 1945 and is now under pressure from Russia’s war on Ukraine.
• Reform. He asked for a Security Council that is more representative, more effective and more accountable, with more weight for Africa.
• Small islands. He spoke of climate change’s toll on small island states.
• Young people. He asked for the next generation to help shape the response to AI, with education in critical thinking.

In his own words

Multilateralism may be imperfect. But our disillusionment must lead us to reform it, not to reject it.

“Young people do not expect us to solve every challenge. But they do expect us to try.”

Worth knowing

• He became Grand Duke in October 2025. Luxembourg last sat on the Security Council in 2013 and 2014.
• Full coverage of this speech is limited. The quotes here are as reported by the Luxembourg outlet Paperjam.

Watch and read the full speech

The UN’s own video of the whole Day 1 session:

Watch Day 1 of the UNGA 81 general debate on the UN’s YouTube channel

The UN posts the statement on its general debate website.

Every Day 1 speaker, in order: What happened on Day 1 of UNGA 81.