In his final annual address to the UN General Assembly, António Guterres delivered a stark warning that the global system is under severe strain, describing a world “brimming with conflict, impunity, inequality and unpredictability” at a moment when international cooperation is weakening rather than strengthening.

Speaking to Member States, the UN Secretary-General framed his remarks as both an assessment of today’s global disorder and a personal commitment to press for change during his last year in office. He warned that wars, climate breakdown, widening inequality and the erosion of respect for international law are converging to push the international system toward instability.

Three Priorities for a Fractured World

Outlining his priorities for 2026, Mr. Guterres anchored his agenda around three guiding principles. The first is upholding the UN Charter, with respect for international law “without exception,” including the protection of civilians, human rights and the rule of law. The second is securing peace between nations and peace with nature, stressing that ending conflicts must go hand in hand with addressing their root causes through development, climate action and stronger institutions. The third priority is unity in an age of division, countering inequality, exclusion, racism and disinformation by fostering more inclusive societies.

“These are not abstract ideals,” he told delegates, but essential conditions for global stability in an increasingly divided world.

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Multilateralism Under Pressure

Mr. Guterres warned that multilateralism itself is being tested as geopolitical tensions rise and funding for development and humanitarian action comes under pressure. He described a paradox at the heart of the current moment: global challenges are becoming more interconnected and severe, yet states appear less willing to invest in collective solutions.

“At a time when we need international cooperation the most, we seem to be the least inclined to use it and invest in it,” he said, pushing back against what he described as attempts to place international cooperation “on deathwatch.”

Peace Beyond the Absence of War

Addressing conflicts from Gaza and Ukraine to Sudan and Yemen, the Secretary-General emphasized that silencing weapons alone will not deliver lasting peace. Poverty, inequality, weak governance and lack of opportunity continue to fuel instability, he said, making sustainable development a prerequisite for sustainable peace.

He was particularly blunt about the visible erosion of international law, pointing to attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, unconstitutional seizures of power, repression of dissent and widespread violations of human rights. “The erosion of international law is not happening in the shadows,” he said. “It is unfolding before the eyes of the world.”

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Inequality, Technology and Climate Risks

Mr. Guterres highlighted the growing concentration of wealth and power as a destabilizing force, noting that the richest one percent now control 43 percent of global financial assets. He described this level of inequality as morally indefensible and politically dangerous.

He also cautioned against the unchecked influence of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, warning that algorithms shaping public discourse and decision-making must not be controlled by a small group of companies. Humanity, he said, must remain in control of technology, not the other way around.

On climate change, the Secretary-General warned that a world in climate chaos cannot be a world at peace. While acknowledging that a temporary overshoot of the 1.5°C temperature threshold is now likely, he stressed that the long-term trajectory is still within human control if emissions fall rapidly and climate finance is scaled up, particularly for developing economies.

A Call for Systemic Reform

Concluding his address, Mr. Guterres argued that global institutions designed in the aftermath of the Second World War are no longer fit for purpose. From international financial institutions to the Security Council, he said reform is essential to maintain legitimacy and effectiveness.

“1945 problem-solving will not solve 2026 problems,” he warned, cautioning that institutions that fail to reflect today’s geopolitical and economic realities risk losing the trust of the world they are meant to serve.

The message was clear: without renewed commitment to cooperation, law and equity, the forces of chaos he described will only deepen in the years ahead.

Source: https://news.un.org/en/

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