World leaders gather for UN showdown

As wars rage across the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, and AI fears mount, world leaders descend on New York for the 81st UN General Assembly’s high-level debate

AI

UN Security Council expected to hold meeting on AI amid growing international concern over technology. UN Secretary-General António Guterres says AI race without guardrails risks disaster

IRAN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (pic) addresses UN seven months after U.S., Israel went to war with Tehran. Leaders mediating war’s end also attending UN Assembly, but breakthrough remains unlikely

UKRAINE

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (pic) seeks support four years after Russia’s invasion. New UK PM Andy Burnham expected to meet Trump face to face for first time at UN, seeking more backing for Ukraine

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS

PM Netanyahu (pic) – wanted by ICC* – due to speak after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he ​lacks authority to arrest him. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas barred from U.S. visa, to appear by video

NEW UN CHIEF

Discussions expected on sidelines over who replaces UN Secretary- General Guterres (pic), as his term ends Dec 31. No clear frontrunner yet. Five veto powers at Security Council – UK, China, France, Russia, U.S. – must agree

OTHERS

High-level meeting expected during UNGA over Sudan’s civil war, which has displaced 14m people. Renewed calls for climate action expected as world struggles to limit warming below 1.5°C threshold



Sources: UN, Reuters, BBC
*International Criminal CourtPictures: Getty Images
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