United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark appeal to world leaders ahead of the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week, warning that a “global crisis” of war, climate change, inequality and technological risks demands urgent, coordinated action.
“We are facing a global crisis. Conflicts are multiplying in the context in which geopolitical divides do not allow to effectively address them,” Guterres said in an interview with UN News and Melissa Fleming, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.
“There is a sense of impunity. Every country believes they can do whatever they want. On the other hand, we see that developing countries are facing enormous difficulties, many of them drowning in debt without access to concessional funding that they require to redress their economies. Inequality is growing.”
Global Cooperation a Must
The Secretary-General pointed to the many areas where the UN is pushing for international cooperation.
“Climate change is not yet under control. And we have several signals that it will probably be very difficult to maintain our central objective, which is to keep global warming below 1.5°C,” he said, referring to the threshold agreed in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
He also warned that while frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence hold great promise, they can also deepen polarisation and spread hate speech. Policy, he stressed, “that make sure that human agency is preserved and that they become a force for good.”
Guterres said next week’s Assembly must lead to commitments across all major areas: cutting carbon emissions, reforming international finance, and strengthening multilateralism. He urged leaders to “turn the tide” and embrace reforms to the international financial architecture that promote fairness and equality.
Focus on the Middle East
Peace and security will also be at the forefront of discussions. The Secretary-General said he expects clear support for a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and immediate steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“The carnage that is happening in Gaza has to end … that we need a ceasefire immediately with the release of all hostage immediately too,” he said.
He also highlighted Sudan and other so-called “forgotten conflicts”, urging unified action by the Security Council to prevent further suffering.
Climate Action Now
Guterres reaffirmed his determination to confront climate change with urgent measures.
“Every Member State must present its new climate plan. And it is essential that those climate plans are aligned with the objective of 1.5 degress, which means that they bring a dramatic eduction of emissions… to avoid that situation of irreversibility that would lead to a disaster of enormous proportions for people around the world,” he said, stressing that the most vulnerable countries, including small island developing states and African nations, face disproportionate risks.
“I Am Determined”
On a personal note, he rejected despair.
“I’m not optimistic nor pessimistic. I’m determined. I think this is a moment in which we need determination. Sometimes it looks there is no hope. We must build that hope. And we must be determined, never giving up and fighting until our objectives can be achieved.”