Guterres Urges Divided World to Unite on AI, Climate and Inequality

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged governments to overcome geopolitical divisions and cooperate on conflicts, artificial intelligence, climate change and inequality ahead of the UN General Assembly. He warned that Security Council paralysis and repeated violations of international law are contributing to instability around the world.

Guterres identified three major global challenges: rapidly advancing AI, worsening climate change and rising inequality. He argued that their effects extend across borders and cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone.

He also called for reforms to international institutions established after World War II, including the UN Security Council, IMF and World Bank, saying their structures should reflect the changing global balance and the growing role of emerging economies.

Guterres criticised what he described as a growing sense of impunity when powerful countries violate international law. He referred to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and US military action against Iran while stressing the need to uphold the UN Charter and territorial integrity. He also condemned Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and criticised the scale of death and destruction in Gaza.

On AI, Guterres called for international guardrails, greater transparency and information-sharing, particularly involving countries with advanced capabilities. He said a multilateral framework is needed to manage potential risks.

Guterres also discussed financial pressure on the UN, including unpaid contributions, while saying the organisation had continued operations and reforms despite limited resources. As he prepares to leave office at the end of the year, he said cooperation between nations remains essential to addressing global crises.