World Leaders Return to UN as Middle East and Ukraine Wars Dominate Agenda
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| The United Nations headquarters in New York ahead of the 2026 General Assembly. /File photo: Jdforrester/Wikimedia commons |
New York, September 20, 2026: World leaders are preparing to gather at the United Nations in New York this week for the high-level segment of the 81st UN General Assembly, with conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine expected to feature prominently in diplomatic discussions.
Nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to attend the high-level week in person, according to the United Nations. The General Debate is scheduled to begin on September 22 and continue through September 28.
Trump Set to Return to UN
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to address the General Assembly for the second consecutive year. His participation comes as Washington’s relationship with the United Nations faces financial and political tensions.
Reuters reported that the United States recently paid $725 million toward its regular UN budget contribution, while still owing the organization more than $1 billion. The Trump administration has also reduced U.S. contributions and withdrawn from several UN bodies.
Middle East and Ukraine Among Key Issues
The wars and security crises in the Middle East and Ukraine are expected to be major subjects during the gathering.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and reiterated support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has also highlighted artificial intelligence, climate change and inequality as major global challenges.
The UN Security Council may also hold high-level discussions involving Ukraine, the Middle East and AI, according to diplomats cited by Reuters.
Xi Jinping to Skip New York
Chinese President Xi Jinping is not expected to attend the New York gathering. Reuters reported that Xi is instead expected to meet Trump in Washington on September 24.
Xi last addressed the UN General Assembly virtually in 2021. His absence from this year’s high-level meeting comes as major powers increasingly use direct bilateral diplomacy alongside multilateral forums.
AI Becomes Another Major Concern
Artificial intelligence is also expected to receive significant attention during this year’s UN meetings.
Guterres has called for international safeguards around AI development, while technology leaders have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with increasingly powerful AI systems.
The UN’s 2026 high-level programme also includes discussions covering AI governance, climate action, health, peace and security.
UN Faces Leadership and Financial Questions
Another issue hanging over the gathering is the future leadership of the United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres is scheduled to complete his second term at the end of 2026, with the process to select his successor underway.
The organization is also facing financial pressure and questions about its role in responding to major international conflicts.
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