The first day of the 81st General Assembly of the United Nations was marked by the last speech by António Guterres as Secretary-General of the UN, among other issues that mark today. See, point by point, what were the main highlights.
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22/09/2026
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News to Minute, Lusa
A 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began this Tuesday, September 22, in New York, United States. The first day was marked by the last speech by António Guterres as Secretary General of the UN, but also by various issues of today, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Here are the main highlights.
The general debate, remember, started with the presence of 116 Heads of State and Government. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro was also present.
- Guterres' last speech as Secretary-General at the General Assembly
One of the moments of the first day of the UN Assembly was the farewell of António Guterres of the Debates of the General Assembly, where he reaffirmed his commitment to peace, human dignity and the power of the law.
The term of office of Guterres, underlines, ends on 31 December, after taking the lead in January 2017 and having been renewed to a second term.
In his speech, the still UN Secretary-General reflected on the events that led to the creation of the body about 80 years ago, which he considered to have been an act of challenge.
“ The challenge of people who refuse to surrender the future to fear. The challenge against the self-destructive notion that force makes law. The challenge of countries that know that our futures are interconnected. The challenge of hope”, he said.
“ I will carry this spirit of resolution and determination during each of the 100 days I have left in office,” he added, in a speech after which he was applauded standing.
- Donald Trump's speech
American President Donald Trump, was one of the political leaders who spoke in this annual UNGA debate, having focused on the power of the United States and on everything that he himself says he did to make his country the most powerful in the world.
“America is back and our country is stronger than ever,” he shot, saying that this is something he says “with pride.”.
Trump also stressed that the US economy “is envied”, as well as “the armed forces,” which are “the most powerful in the world.” “We are practically leaders in everything,” he boasted.
“Our future is very, very bright,” he also defended, listing everything that the country achieved after taking the lead of it, namely by creating more jobs, more investments, less business bureaucracies.
- The war in Iran
Still during his speech, Donald Trump pointed out there were only two decisions in this war that triggered on 28 February this year: “Anihilate” Iran or come to an “agreement”.
“I believe we will reach an agreement soon after the elections” mid-term legislative plans in the United States in November, the Republican added.
“ But do I have a big decision to make: or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic, and quickly, without ever giving it the chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? I send them to hell, without any chance of survival or hope of future greatness or future generations?", questioned.
“ Or an agreement will be reached with Iran to allow them to rebuild and become a much larger country than ever before, perhaps one of the largest in the Middle East, or even the world,” said the US President.
- Trump and Zelensky's meeting
“ I hope we end this war and President Trump will help us to end this war. I think we need to do it, if possible, before winter,” Volodymyr Zelensky said before the start of the meeting.
Note that Trump, during his speech at UNGA, said that this war will end sooner than many think.
- Agreement signed between the USA, Greenland and Denmark
Another theme that ended up marking this first day of the General Assembly, even though it happened on the margins of this event, was linked to the signing an agreement between the United States, Greenland and Denmark, which aims to strengthen security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.
The signing of this agreement, it is noted, took place days after Donald Trump announced a pact to strengthen the US military presence in Greenland, but keeping it under Danish control.
It is recalled that the US President this year caused a crisis with the European allies by threatening to annex the Danish autonomous territory, taking into account its strategic location in the Arctic region and its natural resources, coveted by Washington.
- Lula da Silva's speech
Finally, but not least, the speech of the president of Brazil, Lula da Silva.
The Brazilian head of state warned about hegemonic tendencies and declared that “Brazil does not fit in anyone’s backyard”, in his speech at the opening session of the UN General Assembly.
“In Latin America and the Caribbean geographical proximity to the world’s greatest power is inescapable, especially at the time of hegemonic resurgence. Brazil does not fit anyone's yard ", Lula said, in an allusion to the United States.
“ We need partners with a positive agenda that fosters development. Ideological differences cannot be obstacles to greater integration between neighbors,” he said.
The Portuguese Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, will speak on Thursday at the General Assembly of the United Nations, which runs until September 28.