Kyriakos Mirsotakis, Prime Minister of GreecePhoto: UN Web TV
During the General Debate of the 81st Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 22 - 26 and 28 September 2026), Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, hailed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as a successful example of multilateralism. However, strategic maritime routes are becoming areas of geopolitical confrontation, with grave consequences for supply chains, energy markets and food security worldwide.
“Freedom of navigation and uninhibited passage through international straits, as guaranteed by international law, must be championed globally,” he declared, adding that this topic will be a high priority during Greece’s turn as Security Council president in November.
Describing Greece as “a bridgebuilder, not a troublemaker” in a time of tectonic geopolitical change, he said the Gaza Peace Plan must be effectively implemented and Hamas disarmed. Illegal acts on the West Bank that undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state cannot be allowed to continue.
In Lebanon, joint action is crucial to avoid a security vacuum and maintain an effective international and European presence once the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends.
“Freedom of navigation and uninhibited passage through international straits, as guaranteed by international law, must be championed globally,” he declared, adding that this topic will be a high priority during Greece’s turn as Security Council president in November.
Describing Greece as “a bridgebuilder, not a troublemaker” in a time of tectonic geopolitical change, he said the Gaza Peace Plan must be effectively implemented and Hamas disarmed. Illegal acts on the West Bank that undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state cannot be allowed to continue.
In Lebanon, joint action is crucial to avoid a security vacuum and maintain an effective international and European presence once the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends.
In Syria, the new authorities must do more to uphold the rights and security of all religious and ethnic communities, including the Orthodox Christian minority.
In the face of broader regional challenges, Greece and Turkey must agree on how to move forward, based on full respect for international law and good-neighbourly relations, he said. “After all, we cannot change our geography and we are destined to live side-by-side.”
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is the only institutional framework for the two countries to solve their long-standing dispute over their continental shelf and exclusive economic zones.
“For the United Nations, Cyprus remains a litmus test of its credibility,” he added, expressing hope that UN efforts to restart negotiations will continue under the next Secretary-General with a view towards the island’s reunification, “free of occupation forces”.
To read the full transcript of Prime Minister Mitsotakis' UNGA address on the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic website, please click here.
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UN Summary; Last update made on September 26, 2026.
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