Guterres Urges World to Unite on AI, Climate Change and Inequality
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged countries to cooperate on AI, climate change, inequality and conflicts amid growing geopolitical divisions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for greater international cooperation on artificial intelligence, climate change, inequality and armed conflicts ahead of the UN General Assembly. He warned that geopolitical divisions and paralysis at the Security Council are contributing to instability and weakening respect for international law.
Speaking ahead of the annual gathering of leaders from the UN’s 193 member states, Guterres identified runaway artificial intelligence, climate change and rising inequality as major global challenges. He argued that these issues cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone.
Guterres also criticised what he described as a growing sense of impunity when powerful nations violate international law. He pointed to the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East while calling for stronger adherence to the UN Charter and international law.
The UN chief renewed his call for reforms to institutions established after World War II, including the Security Council, International Monetary Fund and World Bank. He said their structures should better reflect the changing global balance and the growing role of emerging economies.
Artificial intelligence is expected to be a major issue at this year’s UN gathering. Guterres said countries with greater AI capabilities should improve transparency, share information and establish safeguards to manage potential risks.
He also acknowledged financial pressure on the UN, including unpaid contributions, but said the organisation had continued operating while undertaking reforms. Guterres is due to meet US President Donald Trump during the UN gathering and said he plans to discuss conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
