The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA) will once again convene world leaders to revitalize global cooperation, give a critical push to the Sustainable Development Goals and drive collective action for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Two key platforms will spotlight action and solutions: the flagship SDG Media Zone produced by the United Nations (UN) Department of Global Communications with dynamic interviews and panel discussions on SDG solutions held from 21–25 September; and the Goals Lounge, convened by the UN Deputy Secretary-General and hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships from 14-25 September, featuring unscripted dialogues, deep dives into vital issues and interactive experiences. Events are live streamed on UN WebTV.

The UNGA is one of the six principal organs of the UN, serving as its main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ. Currently in its 81st session, its powers, composition, functions, and procedures are set out in Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter. The United Nations General Assembly is responsible for the United Nations budget, appointing the non-permanent members to the Security Council, appointing the secretary-general of the United Nations, receiving reports from other parts of the United Nations System, and making recommendations through resolutions. It also establishes numerous subsidiary organs to advance or assist in its broad mandate.

The UNGA is the only United Nations organ where all member states have equal representation. The UNGA meets under its president or the United Nations secretary-general in annual sessions at the General Assembly Building, within the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The primary phase of these meetings generally runs from September through part of January until all issues are addressed, which is often before the next session starts. It can also reconvene for special and emergency special sessions. The first session was convened on 10 January 1946 in the Methodist Central Hall in London and included representatives of the 51 founding nations.

Links:
General Assembly High-level Week 2026

High-level Meetings of the 81st Session