The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, will travel to New York from September 21 to 23, 2026, to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. During his visit, Macron addressed the assembly on the second day, outlining France’s diplomatic priorities, which focus on creating an effective multilateral approach to global challenges with countries that share France's values. He specifically highlighted the ongoing crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, noting their impact on global oil and gas prices and the broader implications for international stability. Macron urged the international community not to succumb to a sense of inevitability in the face of war and suffering, calling for renewed commitment to finding practical solutions and building lasting peace. He emphasized the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, which has been increasingly violated in areas such as Dnipro, Gaza, Bukavu, and El Fasher. France is working to ensure that its global initiative on humanitarian law, supported by more than 116 countries, results in stronger international commitments to protect civilians and uphold legal standards. Regarding Ukraine, Macron reaffirmed France's support for Ukraine’s legitimate aspirations for peace, security, and a stable future. He also proposed a double moratorium on energy and civilian infrastructure on both sides of the conflict and a moratorium on the Black Sea to facilitate the release of grain, addressing food security concerns for many developing nations. In the Middle East, Macron stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of all nations, calling for a sovereign Lebanon to lead to the disarmament of Hezbollah and for the recognition of Palestinian rights, which remain unmet today. Macron also addressed the growing divide between the North and the South, emphasizing the need for cooperation to tackle global issues like climate change, health, and development. He referenced recent initiatives, such as the ACT-A and COVAX programs, which aimed to ensure equitable access to vaccines, and the redistribution of more than 100 billion dollars in special drawing rights to support African countries. On climate and biodiversity, Macron reiterated the importance of multilateral efforts, highlighting progress since the Paris Agreement, including the protection of 30% of land and marine areas and the BBNJ agreement, which has been ratified by over 60 countries. Regarding artificial intelligence, he warned against the concentration of power in the hands of a few and the risks to national security and societal well-being. He called for new global rules in areas like space, defense, and cybersecurity and mentioned the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, advocating for collaboration among sovereign states to develop open-source technologies. Macron concluded his speech by urging the international community not to accept defeat in the face of ongoing crises and emerging challenges. He called for unity, justice, and cooperation to restore the effectiveness of the United Nations and to build a just and lasting peace for future generations.