UN General Assembly debates veto use and calls for continued dialogue

The UN General Assembly held its fifth annual debate on the use of the veto on 26 October. President of the eighty-first session Khalilur Rahman argued that a blocked Security Council decision should not bring diplomatic discussion to an end.

He recalled resolution 76/262, adopted in April 2022, which provides for a formal Assembly meeting within ten working days after a Security Council veto. The annual debate gives states a broader opportunity to assess the mechanism.

According to the President, the initiative had produced twenty-one meetings by then, most recently on 1 October. He connected their importance with transparency, accountability and the opportunity for all 193 UN Member States to present views when a veto prevents the Council from adopting a decision.

Rahman urged members to identify common ground and support de-escalation and peaceful solutions. His remarks do not mean the veto has been abolished or all Council powers transferred to the Assembly. The debate concerns diplomatic responsibility under existing rules; the statement did not announce a Charter reform entering into force.

Primary source: https://www.un.org/pga/81/documents/speeches/veto-initiative-annual-debate-26-october-2026/.

Cover: archival view of the UN General Assembly during António Guterres’s address in September 2026. UN Photo/Loey Felipe. This is not a photograph of the 26 October event. Photo source; UN editorial photo use.