U.N. General Assembly opens with trust, AI, and leadership change on agenda

World leaders gathered in New York on Monday for the 81st U.N. General Assembly, with restoring trust in the multilateral body, a leadership transition, and AI fears topping the agenda. The General Debate begins Tuesday, with key diplomatic meetings scheduled on the sidelines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky planned talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was set to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, stepping down Dec. 31, will press for a Ukraine cease-fire and Middle East de-escalation, including shipping safety through key straits. The assembly features speeches from Brazil's president and Trump on Tuesday, with Iran's president and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu later in the week. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will appear by video-link after visa rejection, while leaders from Germany, India, and South Africa are absent, with a U.S.-China summit in Washington potentially overshadowing proceedings.