UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered his final address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), urging world leaders to adopt a "world built on interdependence" to tackle pressing global challenges. Guterres warned of widening fault lines, citing raging wars, rising temperatures, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized that military power alone cannot secure peace and called for a dense web of economic, political, social, and technological connections.
In a contrasting vision, US President Donald Trump touted America's economic, technological, and military prowess, stating that he had made the US the most powerful country in the world. Trump criticized the UN, accusing it of promoting a "far-left agenda" and imposing the views of "globalist bureaucrats." He also dismissed concerns about AI, calling them a "hoax" and urging continued advances to stay ahead of China.
The high-level week of UNGA 81 will focus on several pressing global issues, including conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, DR Congo, Myanmar, and Iran, as well as climate change, inequality, and shocks to the global economy. The UN's future is also on the agenda, with discussions on reforming the Security Council, which still reflects the power structure of the post-World War II era.
Guterres' speech was met with a sustained standing ovation, and he expressed his commitment to championing peace, stating that "wherever I will be, whatever I will be doing, I will keep championing the conviction that peace is possible." Some 130 heads of state and government are expected to speak at UNGA 81, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Notable absences at UNGA 81 include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. French UN Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont emphasized the importance of leaders supporting the UN at a time of polarization, stating that it is "extremely critical" for countries to reaffirm their commitment to cooperation and dialogue.
The UN has faced significant challenges in recent times, including being sidelined on peace and security issues in the Middle East and Ukraine, and struggling with rocky finances due to unpaid US arrears. The organization has also been grappling with the rapid advancement of AI, with leaders of major AI companies warning that the technology could get out of human control.
The Security Council has added a meeting on AI to its agenda, and the issue is expected to be a major topic of discussion during UNGA 81. As Guterres concluded his speech, speculation is mounting over who will succeed him as UN Secretary-General, with no clear successor yet emerging.
Key points
- Guterres urges interdependence to tackle global challenges
- Trump emphasizes US strength and power at UNGA 81
- UNGA 81 to focus on pressing global issues, including conflict, climate change, and inequality
