UNITED NATIONS (AP) — World leaders are convening at the annual U.N. General Assembly. They’re grappling with climate change, regional conflicts and a potential dispute in the Middle East that could impact the entire planet.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will open the proceedings. He’ll be followed immediately by the traditional first speaker — Brazil, represented by its new president, Jair Bolsonaro — and the United States, represented by President Donald Trump.
The United Nations was designed to promote a multilateral world. But it has struggled in the face of increasing unilateralism by nations that favor going it alone.
The event unfolds against the backdrop of flaring tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Saudis say Iran was responsible for an attack earlier this month on two oil facilities, which Iran denies.