Leaders from around the world began arriving Monday at the United Nations as it faces one of the most turbulent periods in its 80-year history.
The global challenges are immense: ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, shifting U.S. foreign policy, widespread hunger, and rapidly evolving technologies that outpace global governance.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week, “International cooperation is straining under pressures unseen in our lifetimes.”
Despite these challenges, the annual high-level General Assembly gathering brings together presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs from roughly 150 of the 193 U.N. member states.
Guterres emphasized the importance of the meeting even in difficult times. “We are gathering in turbulent — even uncharted — waters,” he said, citing “our planet overheating, new technologies racing ahead without guardrails, inequalities widening by the hour.”
He plans to use more than 150 one-on-one meetings with world leaders and ministers to encourage dialogue, bridge divides, mitigate risks, and seek solutions — from conflicts and climate change to regulating artificial intelligence and funding U.N. 2030 goals, including ending poverty and ensuring quality education for all children. “Leaders must make progress, not merely engage in posturing and promises,” he said.
But observers remain skeptical. With no ceasefires in Gaza, Ukraine, or Sudan, whether the high-level meeting can achieve meaningful outcomes is uncertain. Richard Gowan, U.N. director at the International Crisis Group, said three issues will likely dominate: U.S. President Donald Trump’s first appearance in his second term, the crisis in Gaza, and the U.N.’s financial and staffing challenges following cuts to U.S. contributions.
Gowan noted the nearly two-year Gaza conflict is central, as Israel has launched a major offensive in Gaza City and a U.N.-commissioned report accused Israel of committing genocide — a claim Israel rejected as “distorted and false.” Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour emphasized, “Palestine is going to be the huge elephant in this session of the General Assembly.”
Abbas will address the assembly via video after the U.S. refused him a visa, following a resolution allowing it. More than 145 countries already recognize Palestine, and Mansour told The Associated Press, “it's going to be 10 more” at Monday’s meeting. The assembly also plans a Security Council discussion on Gaza.
Other key topics include Trump’s speech on Tuesday, climate change, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, and U.N. reform. Guterres aims to rally support to make the U.N. more responsive amid a 15% budget cut and a 19% reduction in staff for 2026.
Gowan said the U.N. remains vital despite its struggles: “The U.N.’s resonance on peace and security issues is unquestionably not what it was, but I think that the organization will continue to muddle through.”