Head of United Nations calls global situation ‘unsustainable’ as annual meeting of leaders opens

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres opened the General Assembly’s annual debate by warning world leaders that impunity, inequality, and uncertainty are creating an “unsustainable world.” He cited deepening geopolitical divisions, ongoing wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and the threat of a wider Middle East conflict, stating that humanity is “edging towards the unimaginable.” Guterres emphasized that these challenges are solvable if the international community confronts unmanaged risks, underlying inequalities, and impunity that undermines international law and the U.N.’s founding principles.

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to make a significant appearance, focusing on ending global conflicts affecting billions. Other notable speakers include Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who accused Israel of seeking a wider war in the Middle East. International Rescue Committee President David Miliband urged leaders to strengthen the principles of the U.N. Charter, noting that “might is making right” in current conflicts.

The assembly follows the two-day “Summit of the Future,” where leaders adopted the 42-page “Pact for the Future,” aiming to tackle 21st-century challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, and women’s rights. Upcoming addresses will feature Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: AP News