The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly – under the theme Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights – comes at a pivotal moment to renew global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity and shared action for people and planet.
This year’s high-level week (22-30 September) highlights the urgency of delivering on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals and reinvigorating global cooperation.
Visit UN News for a front-row seat to the 80th UN General Assembly! Follow world leaders as they debate the globe’s most pressing challenges and chart the next chapter for peace, development, and human rights — all live, on your phone or computer.
https://news.un.org/en/events/unga80 and https://news.un.org
Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day of Democracy 2025.
"Democracy is powered by the will of the people — by their voices, their choices, and their
participation.
It thrives when the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all are upheld — especially the
most vulnerable.
A democracy that excludes is no democracy at all.
To those who seek to discredit or undermine democracy, I say this:
I lived under a dictatorship.
And, along with many others, I helped rebuild democracy in Portugal.
I know the difference.
Today, as we mark 18 years of this International Day — and 20 years of the UN Democracy Fund
— we honour the courage of people everywhere who are shaping their societies through dialogue,
participation, and trust.
At a time when democracy and the rule of law are under assault from disinformation, division,
and shrinking civic space, these efforts are more vital than ever.
The United Nations itself is a forum for dialogue — rooted in the opening words of our Charter,
‘We the peoples.’
This is a powerful reminder that our legitimacy and purpose derive from those we serve.
Let us reaffirm democracy as a force for dignity, inclusion, and peace — and work together to
ensure it delivers for all."
More info: https://www.un.org/en/observances/democracy-day
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
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Secretary-General António Guterres rang the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters, and said, “Peace is the most powerful force for a better future. And it is within our grasp – if we choose it.”
This year’s Peace Day carries the theme Act Now for a Peaceful World. Guterres said, “We know that peace doesn’t happen by accident. It is forged – through courage, compromise, and above all, action. We must act – to silence the guns and amplify diplomacy.”
António Guterres noted that the bell “was cast from coins and medals donated by people across the world.” He added, “This Peace Bell reminds us that even the smallest contributions can forge something enduring. Even in a fractured world, we can come together to let peace ring. Let’s answer that call.”
General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock also addressed the gathering. She said, “Peace. A principle on which the United Nations was founded. One enshrined in the Charter as our collective aspiration never again to return to the scourge of war.”
Baerbock then also rang the Peace Bell, before participants gathered for a group photo to close the ceremony.
UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, said that the support from the entire international community “will be critical for efforts to rid Syria of all chemical weapons.”
Addressing the Security Council today (12 Sep), Izumi Nakamitsu said, “Since 2014, the OPCW Technical Secretariat has not been able to confirm that the declaration submitted by the previous Syrian authorities was accurate and complete, because of the insufficient and inaccurate information it contained. A total of 26 outstanding issues were reported, of which 19 remain unresolved.”
She reported, “The OPCW Technical Secretariat reported that in addition the 26 declared chemical weapons-related sites, information made available to the OPCW suggests that there are more than 100 other sites that may have been involved in chemical-weapons related activities.”
She continued, “During the deployment that took place in April, the OPCW collected three samples at one of the visited locations. The OPCW has reported that the analysis of these samples conducted by OPCW designated laboratories revealed indicators of nerve agents. This is a concerning finding, and the OPCW has shared the results with the Syrian authorities and intends to address the issue in subsequent deployments.”
She stressed, “There are significant challenges ahead, and consistent support from the entire international community will be critical for efforts to rid Syria of all chemical weapons.”
She highlighted, that the commitment of the new authorities in Syria “to fully and transparently cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat is commendable.”
Ibrahim Alabi, Syrian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said, “Syria will continue to resolutely proceed with rebuilding in order to overcome this legacy and spare no effort to destroy the arsenal of chemical weapons used against our unarmed people. This matter is receiving great attention from the highest levels of decision-making in the State in order to turn it into a ray of hope in the history of Syria.”
Joint Press Encounter ahead of the Security Council Meeting on "Threats to International Peace and Security", delivered by Marcin Bosacki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland.
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Speaking to reporters before the meeting Bosacki said, “For the first time since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022, Poland’s territorial integrity and, simultaneously, NATO and EU airspace were violated on such an unprecedented and massive scale.”
The future is young. Half the world is under 30 and this generation is emerging as a powerful force for peace in a world marred by conflict and injustice.
Across the globe, young people are organizing protests, sparking global movements, and forging bonds of solidarity. In communities ravaged by violence, they serve as peacemakers, peacekeepers, and peacebuilders, laying the groundwork for a resilient tomorrow.
These are some of their many voices – calling for change, hope and a world that is fit for their generation. They have the greatest stake in our common future, yet they are too often excluded from the spaces where solutions are shaped.
It’s time to hear their voices and act now.
Learn more about the UN campaign guided on the powerful agency of young peacemakers – https://www.un.org/en/peace-and-security/hear-us
Today, democracy faces mounting challenges: mis and disinformation, shrinking media freedom, and weakening accountability. The remedy is engagement—vote, participate, and follow up with representatives so that promised policies guide governance. The United Nations has upheld democratic principles from the Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the Sustainable Development Goals. Through the United Nations Democracy Fund, the UN has supported more than 1,000 projects in over 130 countries, from voter education to civic monitoring. Democracy is not a destination; it is a daily act.
Joint Press Encounter ahead of the Security Council Meeting on "Threats to International Peace and Security", delivered by Marcin Bosacki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland.
