The UN General Assembly in New York took place from September 22 to 28, 2026, with the participation of leaders from various countries. During this assembly, important issues including artificial intelligence technology and global controversies were discussed. The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, emphasized the importance of the UN Charter and global threats in his speech.
Global Threats and the Need for Cooperation
Rinkēvičs warned in his speech that "the global order is collapsing" and "the rules-based system is under increasing pressure." He stated, "The world has changed. International trade, mobility, and technology — what is far is no longer far. Instability travels and controversies cross borders. What happens in Ukraine does not stay in Ukraine."
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Rinkēvičs also referred to climate change, stating, "Nature does not recognize borders either. Heatwaves do not stop at checkpoints." He pointed to disasters caused by climate change, saying, "We are in one boat, and none of us can face these threats alone."
Security Talks and the Situation in Ukraine
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Lavrov had previously announced that the war in Ukraine would be the main topic of discussion. The Kremlin also stated that its position on peace negotiations in Ukraine had not changed, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must travel to Moscow.
Zelensky is scheduled to speak at the UN assembly on Wednesday. He met with U.S. President Donald Trump the day before and stated that both countries are seeking to end the war with Russia "before winter."
The President of Syria, Ahmad al-Shara, also stated at the assembly that the reconstruction process of his country is accelerating and referred to new achievements. He also mentioned administrative efforts to combat drug trafficking and diplomatic communications with the international community.
The Need for Security Council Reform
The foreign ministers of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan also called for reform of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, stating that these reforms are more necessary than ever. The Security Council is a 15-member body consisting of 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.
In this assembly, in addition to speeches by the presidents of Syria, Iran, and Ukraine, topics such as artificial intelligence, the U.S. and Israel's war in Iran, and the challenges of climate change are also on the agenda.
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