By Abdullahi Lukman
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the global system is under unprecedented pressure from wars, deepening divisions, climate breakdown and the erosion of international law, calling for renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Thursday while outlining his priorities for 2026, Guterres said multilateralism was being tested at a time when it was most needed, amid widening geopolitical rifts and cuts to development and humanitarian funding.
He pledged to keep pushing for global cooperation during his final year in office.
He described the current moment as a paradox, noting that international cooperation was being neglected despite growing global challenges. “Some seek to put international cooperation on deathwatch,” he said, adding that the United Nations would not abandon its mandate.
Addressing global conflicts, Guterres said peace went beyond ending armed violence, stressing that poverty, inequality, underdevelopment and weak institutions continued to fuel instability.
He cited UN engagement in conflicts including Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Yemen, and emphasised that sustainable peace required sustainable development.
The Secretary-General also raised concern over what he described as the open erosion of international law, pointing to attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, unconstitutional changes of government, human rights abuses and the exploitation of natural resources.
He further warned about growing global inequality, noting that the richest one per cent control 43 per cent of global financial assets, a level of concentration he described as morally indefensible.
On technology, Guterres cautioned against allowing emerging tools such as artificial intelligence to be dominated by a few corporations, urging that humanity must remain in control of technology.
He also linked climate change to global stability, warning that climate chaos threatened peace and security.
While acknowledging that a temporary breach of the 1.5°C warming threshold was now likely, he said it was not irreversible and called for faster emissions cuts, increased climate finance and a just transition from fossil fuels.
Guterres also renewed calls for reform of global institutions, including international financial bodies and the UN Security Council, warning that outdated structures risked losing legitimacy in a changing world.
In a personal reflection, he reminded delegates that 2026 would be his final year in office, pledging to use every day to push for a better and more cooperative world.