From Fortune · The Associated Press · · 3m
UN gathers amid wars, AI fears and institutional doubt
World leaders meet at the General Assembly facing multiple crises and questions about whether the UN can still matter.
In brief
World leaders meet at the General Assembly facing multiple crises and questions about whether the UN can still matter. The UN remains the only global forum where all nations meet, but it faces financial strain, irrelevance on major conflicts, and pressure to reform its Cold War-era power structure. Originally reported…
UN faces wars, AI threats, and doubt
World leaders gather this week amid major conflicts in Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo and Myanmar. They must also confront runaway AI development, climate shocks, and rising inequality.
UN power structure stuck in 1945
The Security Council is still controlled by World War II victors: the US, Russia, China, Britain and France. A reform package exists but implementation remains elusive.
130 leaders expected to speak
Trump and Macron speak Tuesday, Zelenskyy and Iran's Pezeshkian speak Wednesday, and Netanyahu speaks Thursday. China's Xi is skipping the gathering to meet Trump instead.
Palestinian leader denied US visa again
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won't attend for a second year because the US has refused him a visa. He will address the assembly by video on Thursday.
UN still the only global meeting place
Despite its troubles, the UN remains where all 193 member nations gather. France's ambassador called it extremely critical for leaders to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism.
“We believe in multilateralism and we believe that the high-level week is the occasion for countries in the world to reaffirm that they prefer cooperation and dialogue to confrontation.”
UN finances in rocky shape
The organization has been pushed to the sidelines on peace and security while facing billions in unpaid US arrears. The US recently paid 725 million dollars to prevent losing its General Assembly vote.
UN stuck in permanent crisis
A UN expert says the organization is no longer in freefall but remains trapped in a trauma center. Last year, Trump considered withdrawing the US entirely from the UN.
“The U.N. may not be in emergency care like it was last year, but it does seem to be trapped in a trauma center for the foreseeable future.”
Guterres' final assembly as secretary
Antonio Guterres' second term ends December 31st with no clear successor emerging. He will warn of three existential threats requiring international cooperation.
“At a time when the world faces three existential threats, international cooperation is more necessary than ever.”
AI control moves to UN agenda
The Security Council added a high-level AI meeting Wednesday, recognizing the technology's rapid advances and lack of global guardrails. Trump dismissed AI warnings as a hoax.
In-person diplomacy still matters
A former US official says in-person meetings help countries hash out ideas that get implemented months later. The situation in 2026 is more serious and complex than in decades past.
World still trusts UN but wants change
A former UN deputy secretary-general says the global public is eager for reform even as they maintain trust in the organization. Hundreds of private meetings will address issues from climate to gender equality.
“While the world still trusts the U.N., the global public is eager for change.”
The takeaway
The UN remains the only global forum where all nations meet, but it faces financial strain, irrelevance on major conflicts, and pressure to reform its Cold War-era power structure.
