AI, Middle East escalation, Ukraine-Russia war on agenda for upcoming UN General Assembly

World leaders are convening in New York for the UN General Assembly, with key discussions focusing on escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, alongside the risks posed by artificial intelligence. US President Donald Trump is set to address the assembly for a second year, while Chinese leader Xi Jinping will skip the event for talks with Trump in Washington. The UN faces ongoing challenges, including financial strains and questions about its relevance, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres completing his term in 2026.

• Artificial Intelligence: Guterres emphasized the need for "common guardrails" to prevent a "gigantic disaster," contrasting with Trump's dismissal of AI risks as a "hoax."
• Middle East: The ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran and Houthi attacks on shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait will be central. Guterres stated, "It's very difficult to have a military solution for that problem."
• Ukraine-Russia War: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will address the assembly, with Zelensky aiming to strengthen Ukraine's position before winter. Guterres highlighted the war's impact on global food security and energy prices.