They said it: Leaders at the UN, in their own words

Many leaders saying many things about many topics that matter to them, to their regions, to the world: That’s what the U.N. General Assembly invariably produces each year.

And each year, certain voices dominate. Here, The Associated Press takes the opposite approach and spotlights some thoughts from leaders who might have not captured the headlines and airtime on Thursday, the third day of the 2026 General Debate.

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“The time for simply setting out goals is behind us.”

—Mia Amor Mottley, president of Barbados, on climate change

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“A United Nations that delivers for all cannot mean an organization that responds loudly to some crises and quietly to others.”

—Janez Jansa, prime minister of Slovenia

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“Power earns trust only when it respects law.”

—András Baka, president of Hungary

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“Narrow self-interest is breaking the bonds of solidarity.”

—Micheál Martin, Taoiseach of Ireland

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“Please allow me to quote the great African writer Chinua Achebe, who said the following: ’When we gather in the village under the moonlight, it’s not because of the moon. Each person can see the moon in his own backyard. We gather because it is good to do so.’”

—Azali Assoumani, president of The Comoros