In his traditional New Year’s address to the General Assembly, which sets out key priorities for the world organization, the United Nations Secretary-General acknowledged the “world’s turmoil” and acknowledged that “it is natural to feel overwhelmed.”
Nevertheless, Mr. Guterres called on delegates to “never lose sight of progress and potential,” noting that the ceasefire in Lebanon “mostly holds” and that after two years of stalemate, the recent presidential election emphasized that it had been carried out.
Away from the world’s battlefields, the UN Secretary-General reflects on the UN’s commitment to combating global warming as “the world is now investing almost twice as much in clean energy as in fossil fuels…almost everywhere.” He emphasized the positive progress made in combating climate change. “Solar and wind are now the cheapest new sources of electricity and are the fastest growing in history,” he said.
As a measure of the extent to which socio-economic progress is being made in line with the United Nations values, Mr. Guterres said: “In many parts of the world, girls have achieved equality in education.” Furthermore, when it comes to health issues, “more children are surviving today than ever before,” he argued, adding that Infections “continue to decline dramatically, along with malaria mortality”, it added.
He described the United Nations as a “building force” that is constantly strengthening its work and delivery methods, proving the adage that global problems require global solutions.
pandora’s box
But there can be no illusion that inaction has “unleashed a Pandora’s box of modern diseases,” he continued, highlighting persistent wars, inequality, the climate crisis and “out-of-control technology.”
Conflict is on the rise and attacks on all human rights are on the rise.
Guterres called on negotiators who are said to be close to reaching a cease-fire agreement in Gaza to finalize a deal. “We must deny extremists a veto over a peaceful future” across the Middle East, he said.
He announced that he would travel to Lebanon later in the day, encouraged by positive developments in Lebanon in recent weeks that could usher in a new and lasting era of peace and security for Israelis and Lebanese.
He highlighted conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, the Sahel region and Haiti.
Tackling inequality
“Inequalities can be overcome,” he boldly stated, starting with multilateral reform on all fronts to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said the scourge of discrimination and hate speech also exacerbates inequality and demonstrates the need to strengthen “communities of belonging”. “This is even more important as speech becomes more prevalent.” ”
climate crisis
Referring to the inferno engulfing the canyons of Los Angeles, the United Nations Secretary-General said everyday people around the world are suffering from the deadly effects of global warming and extreme weather events.
But here too there is a huge opportunity to reverse the damage and strengthen climate action, including the growth of renewable energy, net zero efforts and national plans to reduce emissions.
The United Nations is supporting nearly 100 developing countries with their climate plans ahead of the pivotal COP30 in Brazil later this year, and he said special efforts will be made to keep the 1.5°C target within reach. We have promised to hold a stocktaking event.
technology competition
The Secretary-General said the technological revolution of 2025 also presents “unprecedented opportunities” but requires careful management and a commitment to equal access for all.
Swift and decisive action must be taken without delay across the United Nations to ensure a level playing field, including the establishment of an independent international scientific panel on AI.
Second, the governance of artificial intelligence must protect human rights while fostering innovation. Third, he said there is a need to help developing countries leverage AI for sustainable development.
He added that countries are helping shape AI to advance human progress, equality and dignity, and that the technological revolution “must be firmly in the hands of humanity.”
hope remains
Finally, he pointed out that the Pandora myth contains details that are often overlooked. After opening the box and releasing the fear, there was only one thing left inside: hope.
“We must never lose hope,” Guterres said. “And we strive to unlock that hope through our actions. To realize and spread it, we must uphold our principles, speak the truth, and never give up.”
