UNITED NATIONS — Nearly 130 heads of state and government are gathering in New York as the U.N. General Assembly focuses on the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, global food insecurity and artificial-intelligence safety. Presidents Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Masoud Pezeshkian are expected to participate, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will address the assembly by video after being denied a U.S. visa.
The meeting comes as the United Nations faces funding pressure and questions about its ability to influence wars involving Security Council members or their allies. Secretary-General António Guterres is urging countries to create common safeguards for advanced AI.
Why it matters: The gathering provides one of the few forums where rival powers can hold direct talks on wars, energy security and emerging technological risks.
