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 Saturday, the fifth day of the 2026 General Debate. ___ “Rebuilding confidence does not mean returning to a world that no longer exists.” —Prince Abdul Mateen, foreign minister of Brunei ___ “Creativity is universal. The difference is where society gives it the room to flourish.” —Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, foreign minister of Iceland ___ “Peace is not a negative word.” —Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Vatican ___ “Moldova may never be a great power, but it has everything it takes to make it a great country.” —Vasile Tofan, prime minister of Moldova ___ “The size of a territory must...