United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of a world in chaos, citing unprecedented strain on the global system due to wars, division, climate breakdown, and the erosion of respect for international law. Speaking before the General Assembly during his final year in office, Guterres presented a diagnosis of the current global disorder and outlined his commitment to driving change.
The Secretary-General’s Three Guiding Priorities
Guterres identified three core priorities for the UN and its Member States:
- Uphold the UN Charter: Emphasizing unwavering respect for international law, including the protection of civilians, human rights, and the rule of law.
- Peace between Nations and Peace with Nature: Advocating for the resolution of conflicts by addressing their root causes through development, human rights, and climate action.
- Unity in an Age of Division: Countering inequality, exclusion, racism, and disinformation by fostering inclusive and united societies.
“The Context is Chaos”
“The context is chaos,” Guterres stated to delegates. “We are a world brimming with conflict, impunity, inequality and unpredictability.” He noted that multilateralism is being severely tested amidst widening geopolitical divisions and cuts to development and humanitarian funding. “That is the paradox of our era: at a time when we need international cooperation the most, we seem to be the least inclined to use it and invest in it,” he added, vowing, “I can assure you: we will not give up.”
Peace is More Than the Absence of War
Highlighting ongoing UN efforts in conflicts across Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Yemen, the Secretary-General stressed that ending hostilities is insufficient. “Peace is more than the absence of war,” he asserted, linking sustainable peace directly to sustainable development. Guterres also voiced strong concerns about the visible erosion of international law, pointing to attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, unconstitutional changes of government, suppression of dissent, human rights violations, and resource plundering. He further raised alarms about the growing concentration of wealth and power, stating that the richest one percent now hold 43 percent of global financial assets, a situation he deemed “morally indefensible.”
Keeping Technology Under Human Control
Guterres also addressed the challenges posed by emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, cautioning against the concentration of power in a few companies. “We must ensure humanity steers technology, not the other way around,” he urged. On climate change, he warned that a world in climate chaos cannot be a peaceful world, emphasizing that while exceeding the 1.5°C threshold is becoming inevitable, it remains reversible. He called for accelerated emissions reductions, a just transition from fossil fuels, and increased climate finance. The Secretary-General also advocated for reforms in global institutions, including international financial bodies and the Security Council, stating that “1945 problem-solving will not solve 2026 problems.”
A Personal Commitment for His Final Year
In a personal reflection, Guterres reminded delegates that this would be his last address on priorities for his tenure. “Let me assure you that I will make every day of 2026 count,” he declared. “I am fully committed and fully determined to keep working, to keep fighting, and to keep pushing for the better world that we know is possible.” Guterres began his tenure in January 2017, succeeding Ban Ki-moon.
