UN Secretary-General António Guterres Addresses the 2024 UN General Assembly: A Call for Global Reform and Action

Date: September 25, 2024

In a powerful address to the 2024 United Nations General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning about the state of the world and a fervent call for comprehensive reforms in global governance. Speaking to an assembly of world leaders, diplomats, and representatives from 193 member states, Guterres emphasized the urgent need to revitalize multilateralism and adapt international institutions to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century.

Bringing Multilateralism Back from the Brink

Guterres opened his speech by thanking the co-facilitators, the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly, member states, and UN colleagues for their dedication over the past three years. He declared the Summit of the Future as a pivotal moment to “bring multilateralism back from the brink.”

“Our world is heading off the rails—we need tough decisions to get back on track,” he asserted, highlighting the convergence of crises that threaten global stability. From ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan to the existential threat of climate change and the unregulated rise of artificial intelligence, Guterres painted a picture of a world in dire need of collective action.

The Call for Deep Reforms

The Secretary-General underscored that the current global institutions, established nearly 80 years ago, no longer reflect today’s geopolitical realities. He pointed out that while the UN started with 51 member states, it now comprises 193 nations, yet its structures—especially the Security Council and international financial systems—remain outdated.

Key Agreements Unveiled

Guterres announced three landmark agreements designed to reshape international cooperation:

  1. The Pact for the Future: A comprehensive strategy to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and uphold the Paris Agreement. The pact emphasizes a just transition away from fossil fuels, amplifying efforts to combat climate change while ensuring fairness for all nations. It also includes a groundbreaking commitment to include young people in decision-making processes at national and global levels.
  2. The Global Digital Compact: Centered on the principle that technology should benefit everyone, this compact introduces the first universal framework for the international governance of artificial intelligence (AI). It proposes establishing an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the UN. The compact also aims to build AI capacity in developing countries and ensure consistent measurement through agreed interoperability standards.
  3. The Declaration on Future Generations: Echoing the UN Charter’s commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” this declaration commits governments to consider the interests of future generations in today’s decisions. It represents a pledge to leave a peaceful and livable world for those who come after us.

Addressing Peace, Security, and Human Rights

Guterres highlighted several critical areas where these agreements promise significant advancements:

  • Security Council Reform: The Secretary-General called for reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of the current world, addressing the historic underrepresentation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. “Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility,” he warned.
  • Peace Operations: The agreements lay the groundwork for a more agile Peacebuilding Commission and a fundamental review of peace operations to ensure they are fit for contemporary challenges.
  • Nuclear Disarmament: Marking a significant step, the agreements represent the first multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in over a decade.
  • Emerging Threats: Guterres emphasized the need to prevent an arms race in outer space and to govern the use of lethal autonomous weapons.
  • Human Rights and Gender Equality: Recognizing a surge in misogyny and rollback of women’s rights, the agreements commit to removing barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential. “Respect for human rights, cultural diversity, and gender equality are woven into all three agreements,” he noted.

A Challenge to Act

While celebrating the adoption of these agreements, Guterres issued a passionate call to action:

“We have unlocked the door. Now it is our common responsibility to walk through it. That demands not just agreement, but action.”

He challenged member states to:

  • Implement the Pact for the Future: Prioritize dialogue and negotiation, end ongoing conflicts, and reform the Security Council’s composition and working methods.
  • Accelerate Financial Reforms: Address the suffocating debt burdens on developing countries and create a global safety net, with a focus on the upcoming Conference on Financing for Development.
  • Govern New Technologies: Ensure that technological advancements, especially in AI, are developed within ethical and legal frameworks that prioritize humanity’s best interests.

Guterres reminded the assembly that

“we stand and fall not by adopting agreements, but by our actions and their impact on the lives of the people we serve.”

Looking Ahead

The Secretary-General concluded by emphasizing the importance of rebuilding trust and focusing on the future:

“People everywhere are hoping for a future of peace, dignity, and prosperity. They are crying out for global action to solve the climate crisis, tackle inequality, and address new and emerging risks that threaten everyone.”

He urged member states to seize this moment to redefine international cooperation and meet the expectations of people worldwide.

“Now, let’s get to work. And I thank you.”

Conclusion

António Guterres’s address to the 2024 UN General Assembly serves as a clarion call for unity, reform, and decisive action. By embracing the proposed agreements and committing to meaningful change, the global community has an opportunity to steer the world toward a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable future.

As the world faces an array of complex challenges, the message from the UN’s highest office is unequivocal: the time to act is now, and only through collective effort can we secure a better world for present and future generations.

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