United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has outlined his priorities for 2026, urging a global shift from chaos to peace. Addressing journalists in New York, he described the year as “already shaping up to be a year of constant surprises and chaos.”
Drawing on his background as a physicist, Guterres referenced Newton’s Third Law of Motion, stating, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” He emphasized the determination to “choose actions that generate concrete and positive reactions” in the coming year, such as “reactions of peace, of justice, of responsibility, and of progress in our troubled times.”
Guterres highlighted that impunity is currently fueling conflicts, escalating mistrust, and enabling spoilers. He also pointed to the severe consequences of reduced humanitarian aid, stating, “the slashing of humanitarian aid is generating its own chain reactions of despair, displacement, and death” as inequalities widen.
Climate change was presented as a stark example of Newton’s principle, with Guterres noting that actions heating the planet directly trigger extreme weather events like storms, wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, and rising sea levels.
The Secretary-General also addressed what he termed “perhaps the greatest transfer of power of our times,” from governments to private tech companies. He warned that when technologies shaping behavior, elections, markets, and conflicts operate without regulation, the outcome is instability rather than innovation.
Addressing the inadequacy of current global problem-solving systems, which Guterres noted still reflect economic and power structures from 80 years ago, he called for change. “Our structures and institutions must reflect the complexity – and the opportunity – of these new times and realities,” he stated. He asserted that global problems cannot be solved by a single power or by rival spheres of influence, advocating instead for an accelerating multipolarity that is networked, inclusive, and capable of creating balance through partnerships.
However, Guterres stressed that multipolarity alone does not guarantee stability or peace. “For multipolarity to generate equilibrium, prosperity and peace, we need strong multilateral institutions where legitimacy is rooted in shared responsibility and shared values,” he said.
He underscored the enduring importance of values, even as structures may become outdated. Referencing the UN Charter, Guterres stated that its framers understood that the enshrined values were essential for lasting peace and justice. He affirmed that despite challenges, the United Nations remains committed to upholding these shared values.
The UN’s priorities for 2026 include pushing for “just and sustainable peace rooted in international law” that addresses root causes and endures beyond agreements. The organization is also advocating for the reform and strengthening of the Security Council. Furthermore, Guterres highlighted the need to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reform the global financial architecture, including ending unsustainable debt cycles and increasing the lending capacity of multilateral development banks.
In terms of climate action, Guterres called for significant emissions cuts this decade and a just transition to renewable energy. “We are demanding far greater support for countries already confronting climate catastrophe,” he said, also emphasizing expanded early warning systems and opportunities for mineral-rich nations.
The UN is also working on a framework for technology governance, including artificial intelligence (AI), with plans to establish a Global Fund on AI Capacity Development for developing countries and to form a new International Scientific Panel on AI. Guterres reiterated his determination to foster actions that yield positive outcomes for peace, justice, responsibility, and progress.
