AMERICA - The General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly concluded on September 28, with 194 delegations addressing issues including development, human rights, artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and reform of the UN system.

The six-day debate, held under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” brought together 113 heads of state and government, alongside other senior representatives.

AI Moves to the Centre of the Debate

AI was one of the most prominent emerging themes of this year’s General Debate.

UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman said 128 delegations addressed AI during the debate, compared with only five delegations that raised the technology four years ago.

Speakers highlighted AI’s potential to transform public services, accelerate scientific research, support sustainable development and expand access to knowledge, while also raising concerns about its risks and governance.

Rahman said discussions increasingly focused on questions of who develops AI systems, who benefits from them, who bears their risks and who is accountable when harm occurs.

He called for AI governance to be “human-centred” and inclusive, with particular attention to developing countries and the risk of a widening digital divide.

Development Progress Remains Uneven

Sustainable development remained another central issue during the debate.

Rahman said progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals has stalled, with only a limited number of goals currently on track. He pointed to the need for stronger implementation of existing commitments and greater attention to the development needs of countries facing economic and financial constraints.

Development was also addressed through several high-level meetings during the General Assembly’s 2026 high-level week, including a meeting marking the 40th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development.

A separate high-level meeting on climate action and a just transition examined efforts to advance climate action while supporting sustainable development.

Climate and Sea-Level Rise Remain Priorities

Climate change featured across the General Assembly’s high-level programme, alongside a dedicated meeting on climate action and a just transition.

The UN also convened a high-level meeting on September 24 addressing the risks posed by sea-level rise. The meeting formed part of a wider focus on strengthening international cooperation on climate-related challenges and their development impacts.

Calls for UN Reform and Greater Efficiency

Reforming the UN was another recurring theme.

Rahman said reform should be measured by whether the organisation can deliver more effectively, rather than simply by changes to its structures or budgets.

He said the General Assembly would continue work through the UN80 Initiative and the review of how mandates are implemented. He also stressed that administrative reform alone cannot replace broader institutional changes led by member states.

Trust and Digital Responsibility

Restoring trust was a broader theme running through the debate.

Rahman linked trust in international institutions to transparency, accountability, consistent implementation of commitments and results.

The debate also highlighted the growing intersection between technology and public life. The General Assembly president said rights must be protected online as they are offline, while warning that automated tools can be used to spread false narratives and amplify hate speech.

The discussions reflected a wider shift in the UN’s agenda toward addressing how emerging technologies affect development, governance, human rights and access to information.

Health Preparedness Also on the Agenda

Pandemic preparedness featured in the high-level programme on September 25, with member states discussing measures to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response to future pandemics and health emergencies.

The meeting was one of several thematic events held alongside the General Debate, which also covered sustainable development, climate action and sea-level rise.

From Commitments to Implementation

The conclusion of the General Debate marked the end of the main high-level speaking programme, but the issues raised will continue through UN negotiations and initiatives during the 81st session.

With AI receiving significantly more attention than in previous General Debates, alongside continued concern over stalled development progress, climate risks and institutional reform, the discussions placed implementation and international cooperation at the centre of the UN’s agenda for the year ahead.