The opening day of the UN General Assembly saw delegations walk out, leaders clash over Gaza and Cuba, and António Guterres receive a farewell standing ovation
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly opened in New York on Tuesday with diplomatic walkouts, heated exchanges and plenty of disagreements over Gaza, Iran, Cuba and the future of the international order.
The first day of the high-level debate on September 22 was far from the usual diplomatic routine. Delegations walked out during speeches, leaders traded remarks and the Gaza conflict once again exposed divisions between the US and several of its allies.
But there were also moments of unity. Outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres received a long standing ovation after delivering what was his final opening address to the General Assembly.
And amid the serious speeches and diplomatic sparring, one unusual moment also caught attention online. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was filmed scrolling through Instagram Reels on his phone while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking.
Here are the key moments from Day 1 of UNGA 81.
Walkouts during Trump’s speech
One of the biggest highlights came during US President Donald Trump’s address to the General Assembly.
Trump criticised Iran and Cuba while defending his administration’s foreign policy.
When he turned to Cuba, Trump described the country as an ‘absolutely failed state’ and said, ‘freedom will be coming to Cuba’.
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The Cuban delegation then walked out of the hall.
Iranian delegates had also left the chamber earlier in Trump’s speech when he discussed the conflict between Washington and Tehran. Trump warned that the US could ‘annihilate’ Iran if Tehran did not reach a deal with Washington.
Trump’s 37-minute address also covered Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine war, the International Criminal Court, artificial intelligence and US policy towards Venezuela and Cuba.
Gaza remains a major dividing line
The war in Gaza was another major point of disagreement during the opening day.
French President Emmanuel Macron, delivering his final UN address before leaving office next year, directly challenged Trump’s claims about progress towards peace in Gaza.
‘Some claim that peace has been achieved, but this has not opened up humanitarian deliveries. The spectacle, it is shameful. Shame on all of us,’ Macron said.
Macron also criticised the situation in the West Bank and called for greater respect for international law and the UN system.
His comments came after Trump used his speech to highlight his administration’s efforts on Gaza and present them as part of a broader push for peace.
The contrasting messages reflected the wider differences between Washington and several European governments over how the Gaza war should be addressed.
Netanyahu faces walkouts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also faced a visibly divided General Assembly when he took the podium.
Several delegations walked out as he began speaking, while others remained in the chamber.
The response reflected the sharp divisions at the UN over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the humanitarian situation there.
Netanyahu used his address to defend Israel’s position and criticise international pressure on the country.
Guterres gets a rare moment of unity
Amid the walkouts and diplomatic clashes, there was a rare moment of unity in the General Assembly hall.
Outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres received a prolonged standing ovation after delivering his final opening address.
Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, used his speech to warn about the growing divisions facing the international system.
He pointed to wars, climate change, artificial intelligence and rising geopolitical rivalry as major challenges facing the world.
He also called for greater respect for international law, reform of UN institutions and stronger oversight of artificial intelligence.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s 2025 UN General Assembly remarks have resurfaced online ahead of his 2026 address. In the speech, Sharif claimed Pakistan’s fight against terrorism had prevented militants from reaching major Western cities such as New York and London. He said Pakistan had paid a heavy price in its battle against terrorism and credited its security forces for confronting militant groups.
Leaders warn about a changing world order
The first day also saw several leaders focus on the future of the international system and the importance of protecting global rules.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb invoked Mahatma Gandhi during his address after recalling his recent visit to India.
‘The breach of one rule inevitably leads to the breach of other rules,’ Stubb quoted Gandhi as saying, adding that the words ‘resonate all too strongly today’.
Stubb called for greater respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law at a time when global tensions are testing existing rules.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also used his speech to call for dialogue to resolve long-standing disputes, including Kashmir.
Erdogan said disputes should be addressed through dialogue and within the framework of the UN Charter, reiterating a position he has expressed previously.
A different kind of UNGA moment
Away from the major diplomatic clashes, one unexpected moment also drew attention on social media.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was filmed looking at his phone and scrolling through Instagram Reels while Erdogan was delivering his address.
The high-level General Debate will continue through September 28, with more world leaders expected to address the assembly in the coming days.