World leaders gather at the UN amid wars, AI warnings and doubts about its future
The global crises come as the U.N. has been pushed to the sidelines in trying to end major conflicts in the Mideast and Ukraine
World leaders are convening at the United Nations this week amidst a global backdrop of wars, climate crises, and the looming threat of artificial intelligence (AI) surpassing human control. The annual gathering at the U.N. General Assembly will focus on addressing the conflicts in Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, and Myanmar, as well as the ongoing climate change and widening economic inequalities.
The meeting aims to discuss potential solutions for ending the wars and tackling the pressing issues of global warming, inequality, and economic slowdown due to disrupted shipping routes and supply chains. The future of the United Nations itself is also under scrutiny, as its powers are rooted in the victorious nations from World War II, rather than the major global players of the 21st century.
The U.N.'s 193 member nations have approved a reform package to update key institutions, such as the powerful U.N. Security Council, where the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, and France hold significant veto power. However, implementing these reforms is proving difficult.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' second five-year term ends on December 31, and no clear successor has been identified. Among the expected attendees at the General Assembly are U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, notable figures like Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, China's President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and India's President Narendra Modi have declined to attend, citing various reasons.
The U.N. has faced numerous challenges this year, including being sidelined in its role of ensuring international peace and security, financial difficulties due to the U.S. failure to pay billions in outstanding dues, and the need for reform. Despite these setbacks, veteran U.N. observer Richard Gowan believes 2025 has been even worse than the previous year, with the organization trapped in a long-term crisis.
Nevertheless, the global public remains eager for change and supports the U.N. as the primary platform for nations to cooperate and engage in dialogue.
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