Speaking at a press conference at the UN Headquarters on Tuesday in New York, he warned that global divisions, conflicts and crises have left the principle of international cooperation to their most fragile point in decades.
“Some call it the World Cup of diplomacy,” Guterres said.
“But It is not about punctuation points, it should be about solving problems. There is too much at stake.“
Drifting in unknown waters
The UN Chief described a world to drift in “turbulent and unexplored waters”, which lists the geopolitical divisions that expand geopolitical divisions, growing conflicts, climate change, fugitive technologies and growing inequalities, such as challenges that demand urgente solutions.
“International cooperation strives under invisible pressures in our lives,“, Said.
Almost 150 heads of state and government in New York are expected next week, along with thousands of officials and diplomats.
Guterres said personally would celebrate more than 150 bilateral meetings, pressing leaders “to speak directly with each other, to divide, reduce the risks, find solutions.”
Key themes of the UN Chief
The Secretary General highlighted peace, climate, responsible innovation, gender equality, UN financing and reform as central issues of the week.
He asked for urgent steps to end the wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and beyond, and reiterated the need for “just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on a solution of two states.”
On the climate, he urged countries to present stronger national plans to maintain global warming below the 1.5 ° C threshold provided in the Paris Historical Agreement on the climate change of 2015, which seems increasingly out of reach.
He also announced the launch of a global dialogue on the AI ​​government to ensure that technology develops with benefits for humanity “in the center.”
No more ‘posture and promises’
The week will also have a first biennial summit that brings together international financial institutions and world leaders to advance the commitments on the financing of sustainable development objectives (SDG), which are seriously away from home, as well as commemorations of the 30th anniversary of the historical Beijing conference on gender equality.
“The list is long because the needs are great,“Mr. Guterres said, adding that current world crises demand not” positions and promises “, but leadership that undertakes to make concrete progress.
Concluded with a overwhelming appeal: “The United Nations are the place. Next week is the time. Leaders must get serious and deliver.“
More to follow …