UN General Assembly to discuss Iran war, climate change and AI

World leaders are converging on New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly, the largest diplomatic gathering of the year. Delegates from more than 190 member states will convene at the UN headquarters to address a slate of pressing global issues, with particular focus on the escalating conflict in Iran, the intensifying challenges of climate change, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies.

In a pre‑session analysis, France 24’s Monte Francis and economist Theresa Squatrito of the London School of Economics outlined what participants can expect from the debates. Both highlighted that the war in Iran is likely to dominate security discussions, while climate negotiations will aim to solidify commitments made at recent COP meetings. Simultaneously, a growing consensus is emerging around the need for an international framework to govern AI, a topic that is expected to feature prominently in side events and high‑level speeches. The outcomes of these discussions will shape policy directions and diplomatic relations well beyond the week‑long assembly.