Diplomats are meeting for the U.N. General Assembly.

They say the world is in deep trouble.

Leaders and ministers say the world faces wars, economic problems, and a changing world order.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said leaders are meeting in a time of deep uncertainty.

He said power is shifting.

He added that institutions must change too.

The past nine months brought big changes.

A U.S. military operation removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

Then Iran had a deadly crackdown on large protests for the government.

Soon after, the U.S. and Israel attacked Tehran.

This started a growing conflict.

It has closed an important waterway.

The war between Russia and Ukraine also continues.

Both sides are attacking more because talks have failed.

Other crises added more problems.

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda raised questions about fighting pandemics.

Earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia and floods in Nepal and Tibet showed the effects of global warming.

Former U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood said the U.N. is at a turning point.

He said last year was bad.

He said this year is not much better.

A European diplomat and another official agreed.

They said the world is less stable than a year ago.

They pointed to attacks on international law and failed peace talks.

Officials hope to use the meeting to talk with rivals and allies.

One Gulf official said it would be good to return to predictability in the world.

Slovenia's foreign minister, Tone Kajzer, said interests stay the same even when friendships and alliances change.