In an address to the media today, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an unprecedented spirit of global compromise as the international community approaches the Summit of the Future. With the summit just days away, Guterres highlighted the urgent need for reform and unity to tackle the rapidly evolving global challenges facing the world.
Guterres began by underscoring the severity of the current global landscape, marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, runaway climate change, and technological advancements outpacing existing regulations. He noted, “International challenges are moving faster than our ability to solve them,” pointing to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, as well as the broader impacts of climate change and rising inequalities.
The Secretary-General emphasized that existing global institutions, established in the mid-20th century, are ill-equipped to handle contemporary issues. “The architecture of global problem-solving was never meant to be preserved in amber,” he stated. Guterres argued that the world’s geopolitical and economic landscape has changed dramatically since these institutions were founded, necessitating a reevaluation and modernization of global governance structures.
Among the key areas of reform highlighted by Guterres were the need for Security Council reform, improved governance for emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, and an overhaul of the international financial system to better support developing countries. He stressed the importance of making global institutions more effective, networked, and inclusive to address the complex and interconnected challenges of the 21st century.
The Secretary-General also pointed to positive developments in the lead-up to the summit, including significant proposals for Security Council enlargement and governance measures for new technologies. He expressed hope that Member States would finalize agreements on the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations.
Guterres concluded his remarks with a call to action, urging Member States to seize the opportunity presented by the Summit of the Future. “We can’t create a future fit for our grandchildren with systems built for our grandparents,” he said, highlighting the imperative for immediate and collaborative action to shape a more effective global order.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman
