LeBron James Challenges World Leaders: 'Step Up, People Need Us'

LeBron James has a message to the most powerful people on the planet -- the time is now to "step up" ... and lead the charge to make the world a better place.

LeBron delivered his statement in a video introducing the first ever Bloomberg Global Business Forum in NYC ... which featured talks with HUGE names like Bill Clinton, Justin Trudeau, Bill Gates and Tim Cook.

"We all know what’s happening right now ... how hard it is suddenly to understand so much in this world," James said.

"You’re in this room for a reason ... we’re leaders. We all know the world needs us to step up."