MANHATTAN, New York – AS world leaders prepare to gather in downtown Manhattan for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly high-level week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres says the meeting comes at a time of major shifts in global power and growing uncertainty.
Guterres, who is expected to leave office later this year, said the changing global environment means the United Nations must also adapt.
He stressed, however, that reforming the organisation does not mean “abandoning our principles”. Instead, he said, those principles must be applied with even greater determination.
“The United Nations is not just a platform, it is a promise,” Guterres said.
“So my message to leaders comes down to this: Keep your promises. Live up to the UN Charter. Be true to the ideals you pledged to uphold. Defend international law. Protect human rights. Invest in sustainable and inclusive development. And push for peace. Now more than ever.”
Middle East war
Calls for changes to the way the United Nations operates have been growing, including from small island states and the United States. But as world leaders prepare for the General Assembly, much of the international community's attention remains focused on the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Speaking at a press conference at UN Headquarters on (Sept. 16), Guterres said “de-escalation must be priority one, priority two and priority three”.
“All parties must cease any actions that harm civilians and ensure that humanitarian operations can proceed safely and without obstruction,” he said.
He also called for navigational rights and freedoms around the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab to be restored and respected in accordance with international law.
Guterres said the only path forward is “de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue”.
Gaza and the West Bank
The Secretary-General also urged the international community not to lose sight of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
He said the peace plan for Gaza “must be fully implemented with unrestricted humanitarian aid”. “And the creeping annexation of the West Bank must stop,” he said. “There will be no peace in the Middle East without realizing the Two-State solution.”
Guterres also addressed the war in Ukraine, noting that the world is now well into the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with immense civilian suffering and wider global consequences.
“It is time for an immediate ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace – in line with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions,” he said.
AI and climate change
Turning to emerging global challenges, Guterres said concerns surrounding the rapid development of artificial intelligence must also be addressed. He acknowledged AI's potential to accelerate sustainable development, improve learning, strengthen health systems and enhance climate resilience.
However, at the same time, he said an increasing number of people involved in developing the technology are raising concerns that its advancement is moving faster than the world's understanding of the risks.
“We cannot afford to ignore concerns that have been raised, especially by those on the frontlines of the development of AI.”
Guterres said governments must take responsibility for protecting their citizens, including from potential threats posed by artificial intelligence.
“If we believe AI development should slow when risks become too great, we need more than good intentions.”
Guterres said the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI was established to bring together global scientific expertise and help ensure that policy is guided by evidence.
“Artificial Intelligence will certainly be a major topic in my discussions with world leaders next week – and the United Nations will continue to explore practical ideas and approaches in the immediate days ahead.”
He said the international community needs a shared understanding of how to advance the safe, secure and responsible development of AI, while determining when increasingly powerful systems may require stronger safeguards or additional measures to manage potential risks.
“This requires genuine international cooperation and a coordinated global effort,” he said.
Guterres acknowledged the geopolitical divisions surrounding AI but warned against allowing those divisions to undermine efforts to improve safety.
