UNITED NATIONS: World leaders are gathering in New York this week for the UN General Assembly, with the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as growing concerns over artificial intelligence, expected to dominate discussions.
Nearly 130 heads of state are attending the annual gathering as the post-World War II international order faces mounting pressure and the United Nations grapples with financial difficulties and criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Trump is set to address the General Assembly for a second consecutive year. His administration has reduced US contributions to the UN and withdrawn from several UN bodies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who last addressed the gathering virtually in 2021, will not travel to New York this year. Instead, he is expected to hold direct talks with Trump in Washington on Thursday, adding to discussions over the UN’s role in dealing with major international crises.
The organisation is also facing uncertainty over its future leadership. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to complete his term at the end of 2026, while no clear frontrunner has emerged in the race to succeed him.
Diplomats said the 15-member UN Security Council could hold high-level discussions on Ukraine, artificial intelligence and the Middle East, including meetings involving Arab leaders.
Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group described the UN as remaining in a prolonged crisis, saying the organisation continues to face serious institutional and financial challenges.
The United States avoided losing its voting rights at the General Assembly after paying $725 million toward its regular UN budget contribution this week. However, Washington still owes the organisation more than $1 billion and continues to call for spending reductions and institutional reforms.