Guterres Urges Urgent Action on Wars, Climate and Inequality

Secretary-General António Guterres (left) is interviewed by Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.

Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark call to world leaders on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week, warning that a “global crisis” of war, climate change, inequality, and technological risk demands urgent, coordinated action.

“We are facing a global crisis. Conflicts are multiplying in a context where geopolitical divides prevent us from effectively addressing them,” Mr Guterres told UN News in an interview with Global Communications chief Melissa Fleming.

“There is a sense of impunity – every country believes it can do whatever it wants. On the other hand, we see developing countries facing enormous difficulties, many drowning in debt without access to the concessional funding they need to rebuild their economies. Inequality is growing.”

The Secretary-General highlighted the multiple fronts on which the UN is seeking to mobilise cooperation.

“Climate change is not yet under control. We have several signals that it will probably be very difficult to maintain our central objective of keeping global warming below 1.5° Celsius,” he said, referring to the threshold agreed under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

He also warned that while cutting-edge technology such as Artificial Intelligence offers promise, it can also amplify polarisation and hate speech, so governance must “ensure that human agency is preserved and that technology becomes a force for good.”

Mr Guterres said next week’s Assembly must yield commitments across key areas: reducing carbon emissions, reforming international finance, and strengthening multilateralism. He urged leaders to “turn the tide” and accept reforms of the international financial architecture for greater justice and equality.

Peace and security will also be at the centre of discussions. The Secretary-General said he expects clear support for a two-State solution to end the Israel-Palestine conflict and immediate measures to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“The carnage in Gaza has to end…we need a ceasefire immediately, with the release of all hostages too,” he said.

He also highlighted Sudan and other so-called “forgotten conflicts”, urging unified Security Council action to prevent further suffering.

Mr Guterres told Under-Secretary-General Fleming that his commitment to fighting climate change through urgent action was undimmed.

“Every Member State must present its new climate plan, bringing a dramatic reduction of emissions to avoid irreversibility that would lead to a disaster of enormous proportions for people around the world,” he said, noting that the most vulnerable countries, including small island developing States and Africa, face disproportionate risks.

On a personal note, he rejected any counsel of despair.

“I am not optimistic nor pessimistic, I am determined…we must build hope and never give up until our objectives are achieved.”