UN under pressure as Trump returns amid wars, AI risks

As world leaders convene for the United Nations' annual General Assembly in New York, the organization faces mounting pressure over both financial and political issues. President Donald Trump will be among the nearly 130 heads of state in attendance, returning for a second consecutive year as the US relationship with the UN comes under scrutiny. Washington avoided losing its vote at the assembly by paying $725 million in contributions this week, yet still owes over $1 billion and is pressing for cuts and reforms.

The post-World War Two international order is facing strain amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, concerns surrounding the risks of artificial intelligence, and reduced US funding. China's President Xi Jinping will skip the gathering in New York, holding one-on-one talks with Trump in Washington instead. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term ends at the end of 2026, is facing an uncertain future as no clear frontrunner has emerged to succeed him.

Artificial intelligence is expected to be a major topic at the assembly, with several AI industry leaders calling for a coordinated slowdown in development due to the potential risks of the technology. Guterres has called for global governance of AI to prevent a "race to the bottom" that could lead to a global disaster. The secretary-general's stance on AI puts him at odds with Trump, who has dismissed AI risks as a "hoax."

The Middle East remains a central focus as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to fuel global inflation and destabilize the region. Recent gains by Houthi militants threaten shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, potentially pushing up energy prices. Peace talks in the region remain stalled, with Iran and the United States exchanging strikes and Trump threatening a major escalation.

Uncertainty also surrounds the race to replace Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, with no clear frontrunner yet selected to succeed him. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than four years, will be high on the agenda, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressing the assembly. However, the Security Council has been unable to take action to end the conflict due to Russia's veto power.