The Secretary-General of the United Nations sets his priorities for 2025 in confronting the “evils of Pandora’s box” unleashed by humanity

This came in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, where the Secretary-General set his priorities for the new year, stressing the urgent need for collective action and international cooperation to address the most pressing challenges in the world.

As the organization celebrates the eightieth anniversary of its founding, Mr. Guterres said that the United Nations represents “Universal conscience” Since its inception, and in the world “Seemingly bent on destruction, our organization has been a force of construction.” He said that the organization reflects a basic fact that… “Global problems require global solutions.”

The Secretary-General began his speech by listing recent progress in addressing major global problems – such as promoting girls’ education and investments in clean energy – and the rays of hope, especially those emanating from the Middle East, where negotiations on a ceasefire agreement in Gaza have reached their final stages, and Lebanon has been able to Finally, a president was elected after more than two years of stagnation.

This spirit of hope is rooted in action, Mr. Guterres said “You must move us forward.” Adding that “The good news is that we have plans to address these challenges. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to get the wheel moving.”

Reshaping the Middle East

Mr. Guterres said that conflicts around the world are multiplying, and that deepening geopolitical divisions and mistrust “You add fuel to the fire”While the nuclear threat is at its highest levels in decades, impunity is common.

The Secretary-General strongly appealed to the parties to complete a ceasefire deal in Gaza and release the hostages. And he said: “Of course, nothing can justify the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas on October 7. And nothing can justify the dramatic levels of death and destruction inflicted on the Palestinian people, as there was no ceiling to the suffering and no bottom to the horrors for months.”

Mr. Guterres added: “Across the region, we are witnessing a reshaping of the Middle East. What is less clear is what will emerge.”

He wondered whether irreversible measures would be taken to achieve a two-state solution “Will we instead see steady annexation by Israel, the denial of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people, and the destruction of any chance for sustainable peace?”

He also wondered whether Syria would be “A beacon for the diverse faiths, traditions and communities that shape an inclusive, free and peaceful future.”or fall into disintegration, and whether Iran will take concrete measures to ensure the clear abandonment of any nuclear weapons program, or will we see an escalation? “With unpredictable consequences.”

And he said: “Across the region, we must deny extremists the right to veto a peaceful future.”

As he prepares to leave tonight for Lebanon, the Secretary-General confirmed that… “A window has opened into a new era of institutional stability, with a state fully capable of protecting its citizens, and a system that allows the enormous potential of the Lebanese people to flourish.” He said that the organization will do its best to maintain this window “Wide open – a window that allows both Lebanese and Israelis to live in safety.”.

There is too, he said “A world of pain that goes beyond the Middle East,” Including in Ukraine, Sudan, the Sahel, Haiti and many other places.

And he said: “From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Yemen and far beyond, we must continue to work for peace,” Including by strengthening the commitments made in Charter of the futureincluding through conflict prevention and peacebuilding, strengthening peacekeeping, women’s engagement and other engagements.

Addressing disparities

Mr. Guterres said that the disparities are huge “An unambiguous indication that something is deeply wrong.” In global social, economic, political and financial systems.

He said that inequalities can be overcome, starting with accelerating action to achieve Sustainable development goals Less than five of these goals are still on track, while the plan faces an annual financing gap of four trillion dollars.

He called for a focus on high-impact areas such as poverty eradication, food security, quality education for all, social protection, universal health coverage, energy access, digitalization, and reducing climate impacts. He stressed the importance of addressing the needs of Africa in particular, and called for clear support for stimulating the Sustainable Development Goals to close the financing gap.

He also called for reforming and modernizing global financial institutions to reflect today’s economy, and ensuring fair representation of developing countries. And he said: “We must also combat inequalities by reforming and modernizing global finance institutions to represent today’s economy – not the economy of 1945. Developing countries must be fairly represented in the governance of the institutions on which they depend.”

Mr. Guterres stressed the need to strengthen the global safety net, increase the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, and ensure that concessional financing is deployed where it is needed most.

He also called for expanding opportunities for women and girls as the world seeks to address disparities, including removing all legal, social and economic barriers, and ensuring their equal participation and leadership.

An existential threat

Mr. Guterres said that “Pandora’s Box” has also unleashed the climate crisis that is devastating our world, as demonstrated recently in Los Angeles.

He asked: “Who pays for climate devastation around the world? It is not the fossil fuel industry that reaps profits and taxpayer subsidies while its products cause havoc. It is ordinary people suffering with their lives and livelihoods, sky-high insurance premiums, volatile energy bills, and soaring food prices, especially the most “The weakest, who are least guilty of unleashing this devastation.”

He called for the rapid and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels, and stressed the importance of climate finance, including implementing the UN Climate Change Agreement (COP29) on financing, and mobilizing support for equitable energy transitions.

And he said: “The calculations are clear: global emissions must peak this year and then decline rapidly after that if we are to have any hope of limiting the long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.”

Mr. Guterres urged countries to submit new national climate action plans consistent with this goal, and called for clear targets to reduce fossil fuel production and consumption. He added: “The 1.5 degree battle cannot be won without the rapid, fair and funded phase-out of fossil fuels around the world.”

Harnessing technology for good

While the Secretary-General acknowledged the unprecedented opportunities presented by the technological revolution, he said that we have a historic responsibility to ensure that this revolution “It benefits humanity, not just a privileged few.”

He called for equal access to the latest knowledge and insights on AI, and proposed the establishment of an independent international scientific committee on AI to fill knowledge gaps and inform policy decisions.

Guterres also stressed the need for ethical, safe and secure governance of artificial intelligence. He called for a global dialogue on AI governance to develop coordinated policies, share best practices, and ensure interoperability.

He highlighted the importance of supporting developing countries in leveraging AI for sustainable development, and announced plans to report on innovative financing models and capacity-building initiatives to help the Global South harness AI for public good.

And he said: “The hand of humanity must be firmly in control of technology. As AI reshapes our world, every nation must help shape AI. Together, let us ensure that AI serves its highest purpose: promoting human progress, equality and dignity.”

A message of hope

In the exhibition of the use of legend “Pandora’s box”, Mr. Guterres said that after the horrors had escaped from the Fund, nothing remained in it but hope. He said: “There is a lesson in this for our times. We must never lose hope, and we must work to lift the lid on that hope by working to make it real, to help spread it, to stick to principles, to speak the truth and never give up. In our 80th year, let us build a more peaceful, just and prosperous world.” We know – despite everything – that it is within reach.”