During a passionate address to the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized world leaders for undermining international cooperation and disregarding international law. While he refrained from naming specific countries, he expressed grave concern over actions that threaten global collaboration, suggesting that some are intent on placing “international cooperation on deathwatch.”
Guterres articulated his deep apprehension regarding the ongoing violent repression in Iran, ahead of an emergency Security Council meeting focused on the crisis. This meeting underscores the urgent need to address human rights violations in the country.
In what may be his final annual address before stepping down in 2026, Guterres highlighted the significant geopolitical divides and unabashed violations of international law that have characterized recent global affairs. He lamented the “wholesale cuts in development and humanitarian aid,” indirectly criticizing the steep budget reductions imposed on UN agencies during the Trump administration’s “America First” policies.
His remarks underscored a troubling trend: at a time when global cooperation is most essential, nations appear increasingly hesitant to invest in multilateral dialogue and solutions. “These forces shake the foundations of global cooperation and test the resilience of multilateralism itself,” Guterres noted.
Focusing on crisis-response efforts, he reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to peace in troubled regions such as Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. These ongoing conflicts, which have marked Guterres’s leadership, have drawn scrutiny over the organization’s perceived ineffectiveness in preventing escalation and its capacity to foster lasting resolutions.
As tensions between major powers hinder the Security Council’s effectiveness, Guterres pointed out that millions remain ensnared in cycles of violence, hunger, and displacement. He called for “unimpeded” humanitarian aid to Gaza and urged all parties to make every effort to halt the violence in Ukraine. Additionally, he stressed the need for renewed discussions to establish a lasting ceasefire in Sudan.
Guterres concluded his remarks by addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and the urgent need to combat growing inequality on a global scale. His speech serves as a clarion call for decisive action amidst a landscape increasingly characterized by division and conflict, stressing that collective humanity must rise to meet these challenges.
