World leaders gather at UN amid wars, AI fears, and climate shocks

World leaders gather at the United Nations this week amid wars, divisions, and fears over runaway artificial intelligence and climate shocks. The annual General Assembly opens Tuesday with roughly 130 heads of state expected to speak. Key speakers include U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, followed by Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the assembly Thursday, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will speak by video due to a U.S. visa denial. The U.N. faces financial strain, though the U.S. recently paid $725 million in dues, and reform of the Security Council remains unresolved. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers his final opening address, warning of "three existential threats," while leaders of major AI companies have called for a pause on development.