In his traditional New Year’s address to the General Assembly on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined his key priorities for the global body, highlighting “the instability of our world” and acknowledging that “it’s hard to be overwhelmed by it. It’s understandable to feel the pressure.”
Antonio Guterres, despite the situation, called on delegates to the UN General Assembly to “never lose sight of progress and potential”.
He noted that the ceasefire in Lebanon is “largely effective”. Antonio Guterres also drew attention to the recent presidential elections held in the country after two years of deadlock.
The UN chief, away from the world’s war zones, highlighted positive progress on climate action that reflects the UN’s commitment to combating global warming.
He said, “The world is now investing almost twice as much resources in clean energy as it is investing in fossil fuels… Almost everywhere now, solar and wind are new and cheap energy sources – and right now “are growing at an unprecedented pace.”
To give some idea of how much socio-economic progress has been made in line with UN values, Antonio Guterres said, “In most parts of the world, girls have achieved equality in education.
Moreover, in terms of health, “more children are alive today than at any time before”, he stressed.
He also said that the death rate of HIV infection and malaria has decreased significantly.
Antonio Guterres described the UN as “a force in the making” that is always strengthening the way it works and delivers results. Proving that global problems require global solutions.
trouble box
The UN chief also said there can be no illusion that action or inaction has “opened a Pandora’s box of problems of our time”.
In this context, he mentions protracted wars, inequality, climate crisis and “out of control technology”.
Conflicts and wars are increasing in scope and intensity, including attacks on human rights on a larger scale.
Antonio Guterres has asked negotiators trying to reach a Gaza ceasefire to finalize a Gaza ceasefire agreement as soon as possible.
He said that across the Middle East, “we must prevent extremists from using their willpower to undermine a peaceful future.”
He announced that he would begin his visit to Lebanon on Wednesday, encouraged by positive developments in the country in recent weeks.
He said this positive development could usher in a new and lasting era of peace and security for the people of Israel and Lebanon.
He also shed light on war and conflict situations in Ukraine, Sudan, the Sahel and Haiti.
Eliminate discrimination
“Inequality can be defeated,” the UN chief has said, starting to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through multilateral reforms on all fronts.
He said the curse of discrimination and hate speech was also fueling discrimination, highlighting the need to strengthen community roots: “It is even more important to do this as security around social media platforms has been dismantled and removed, thereby spreading misinformation and hate speech. statement.”
Climate crisis
Referring to the fires spreading in the Los Angeles Valley of the United States, the head of the United Nations said that every day people around the world are suffering from the severe effects of a warming planet and extreme weather.
But on this front too, there is a huge opportunity to reverse the damage and build on climate action such as renewable energy development, net zero commitments and national plans to reduce carbon emissions.
Ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Brazil later this year, the UN is helping nearly 100 developing countries with their climate action plans and the UN chief has launched a plan to achieve the 1.5°C target, which will organize a special review program.
Technology race
The Secretary-General said the technological revolution of 2025 offers “unprecedented opportunities”, but requires careful management and a commitment to equitable access for all.
Swift and decisive action at the UN level is needed to provide a level playing field without delay establishing an independent international scientific panel on AI.
there is hope
The UN Secretary-General concluded his speech by saying that the myth of the ‘problem box’ includes an often overlooked detail. When the box was opened and the horror came out, there was one thing left inside – hope.
Antonio Guterres said, “We must never lose the light of hope and we will work to lift the curtain of that hope through action.”
“To turn hope into reality, to help spread hope – by sticking to principles, speaking the truth, never giving up.”