UNITED NATIONS, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 9th Sep, 2026) The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly opened in New York with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman assuming the presidency and calling for a more effective and future-ready UN.
Taking over from outgoing President Annalena Baerbock of Germany, Rahman said the world had changed significantly since the UN was established in 1945 and stressed the need to restore trust and strengthen multilateralism.
“This is not 1945. This is the 81st session. The world has moved on,” he said, outlining priorities including peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, human rights, responsible use of artificial intelligence and UN reform.
The high-level general debate will be held from September 22 to 26, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif scheduled to address the session on September 25.
The session comes amid ongoing global conflicts, financial challenges facing the UN and preparations for the election of a new secretary-general as Antonio Guterres’ term ends on December 31, 2026.
Outgoing president Baerbock defended the UN’s continued relevance, saying that despite its shortcomings, “not a single day, not a single country, would be better off without the UN.”
