The United Nations General Assembly has commenced with world leaders convening to address a multitude of issues, including ongoing wars and increasing political divisions. This year’s session is occurring against a backdrop of rising concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, as well as persistent climate crises and escalating living costs that affect millions globally. The annual high-level week is anticipated to highlight discussions on inequality, global warming, and the pressures faced by international institutions.

Among the anticipated topics will be the future viability of the United Nations, which consists of 193 member states. There appears to be a collective agreement on a significant reform package aimed at altering vital frameworks such as the Security Council, where the veto power is currently held by the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France. However, while the argument for reform is compelling, actual implementation poses substantial challenges.

There is speculation regarding who might succeed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose second term concludes on December 31. Despite these uncertainties, the UN continues to serve as the primary forum for global dialogue, with approximately 130 heads of state and government expected to make addresses over the week.

Key Speakers and Notable Absences

The assembly will feature significant addresses starting with Guterres providing an opening statement on the state of the world. US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to speak on Tuesday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the assembly on Wednesday. Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to speak on Thursday, whilst Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will participate via video due to visa issues with the United States.

Additionally, the event has drawn attention due to some prominent absences. Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending and has sent a vice president in his place, despite a meeting with Trump in Washington planned for the same week. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also skipping the event, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opted out. The French UN ambassador has underscored the critical need for support from world leaders to uphold the UN as a platform for cooperation in these polarised times.

This year’s Gathering follows a challenging period for the UN, which has faced difficulties in mediating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Financial pressures resulting from substantial unpaid dues by the US have intensified, affecting peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.

Artificial Intelligence on the Agenda

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a central concern on the agenda for the assembly. With rapid advancements in the field and a lack of global regulatory frameworks, there is increasing apprehension regarding its risks and potential consequences. Prior to the assembly, leaders from major AI corporations expressed that technological developments could potentially spiral beyond human control and called for temporary halts in advancement.

In contrast, Trump dismissed these warnings as unfounded and encouraged ongoing progress to maintain the US’s leading position over China. Notably, the Security Council has included a high-level discussion on AI to its agenda, signalling its significance in contemporary discourse. The session will also encompass discussions on Ukraine during a morning meeting featuring Zelenskyy.

For Guterres, this assembly marks his final engagement with world leaders as Secretary-General. In anticipation of his address, he articulated the necessity for international cooperation amid a climate of deep uncertainty and existential threats. Alongside core discussions, numerous leaders are expected to advocate for initiatives on climate change, education financing, and gender equality during the assembly.

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