United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on world leaders to confront escalating wars, widening inequality and the unchecked advance of artificial intelligence with renewed international cooperation.
Speaking ahead of the opening of the 81st session of the General Assembly, Guterres said the world was entering an era of “deep uncertainty” as power shifts and existing institutions struggle to keep pace.
“The United Nations is not just a platform, it is a promise,” he told reporters, urging governments to defend international law, protect human rights, invest in inclusive development and “push for peace.”
Guterres placed the Middle East at the top of his concerns, insisting that de-escalation must be the immediate priority.
He called on all parties to stop actions harming civilians, allow humanitarian operations to proceed safely and restore navigational rights in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
He also demanded the full implementation of the Gaza peace plan and unrestricted humanitarian access, while warning that the “creeping annexation” of the West Bank must stop.
“There will be no peace in the Middle East without realizing the Two-State solution,” he said.
On Ukraine, Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire as the first step toward a just and lasting peace, warning that the continuing war was inflicting immense civilian suffering and worsening global food, energy and economic pressures.
The secretary-general also raised the alarm over artificial intelligence, saying its development was moving faster than humanity’s understanding of its risks.
While acknowledging AI’s potential to improve education, health care, climate resilience and sustainable development, he urged governments to establish stronger international safeguards.
“AI does not stop at borders — and neither do its risks,” Guterres said, rejecting isolated and unverifiable voluntary pauses in development.
He called for AI systems to be safe, transparent and accountable, with human dignity at their centre, and warned against a global “race to the bottom” on safety standards.
Guterres identified runaway AI, the climate crisis and deepening inequality as three existential threats requiring urgent global action.
He also said countries supplying weapons to Sudan’s warring parties should face accountability when those arms are used against civilians.
