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Foreign Minister Addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday

Government of Iceland - Ministry for Foreign Affairs

29 September 2025

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday 27 September 2025 during the annual General Debate in New York. In her address, she lamented how the foundations for the United Nations, set in San Francisco eighty years ago, are now under siege. How fundamental principles of self-determination and equal rights for all nations are increasingly being undermined, and even deliberately abandoned.

"This erosion of the rules-based international order is deeply dangerous. A world not governed by rules, will be a world where the strong impose their will, and the weaker pay the price," the Minister for Foreign Affairs said, before appealing to member states to revive the ideals that inspired the founders of United Nations eighty years ago.

During the High-level week of the United Nations General Assembly Ms. Gunnarsdóttir, along with the Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, attended the special meeting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. The Ministers also attended the 30th anniversary meeting held to reflect on the historic women's conference in Beijing and the Beijing Declaration.

Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir delivered numerous statements during the General Assembly week. Notably, the Minister addressed the United Nations Security Council on behalf of the Nordic Countries in an open debate on artificial intelligence and international peace and security. On Palestine, the Minister gave a statement on the implementation of the Two-State Solution and a call to action for Palestinian Children. The Minister also spoke about humanitarian diplomacy in the Middle East. On Ukraine, the Minister emphasised Iceland's support to Ukraine and reiterated the international collective responsibility to hold Russia accountable. The Minister also gave statements on the human rights of LGBTQI+ people, sustainable global economy, Iceland's climate commitments, and on the rights and well-being of youth.

The Minister held numerous bilateral meetings during High-level week, including with heads of various UN agencies, eg. UNRWA, UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA, and the non-profit organization Outright International.