Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 23, 2025 UN
Speaking in the General Assembly Hall, the UN Secretary-General called on world leaders to make decisive choices in favor of peace, human rights, climate justice, and strengthened multilateralism. António Guterres recalled that the United Nations, now eighty years old, was born "not as a dream of perfection, but as a strategy for human survival."
The Secretary-General described the modern era as "an age of reckless upheaval and endless suffering," where "the pillars of peace and progress are crumbling under the weight of impunity, inequality, and indifference." He noted that humanity once again faces a choice—whether it will be "a world of force or a world of law," "a world where the right of might is law, or a world that is just for all."
"Impunity is the mother of chaos"
In his speech, Guterres outlined five areas he called "critical" for the modern era. First and foremost, he said, is the need to build a world based on international law.
"Impunity is the mother of chaos," the Secretary-General said, pointing to the ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza. He asserted that the only viable path to peace in the Middle East is a two-state solution.
"A permanent ceasefire is needed now," the UN chief emphasized. "The release of all hostages is immediate. Full humanitarian access is needed now."
“The past year has brought glimmers of hope, including the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand and the US-brokered agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” the Secretary-General said.
"Human rights are not an adornment to the world, but its foundation."
The second general direction of activity Antonio Guterres called the protection of dignity and human rights.
"Human rights are not the world's ornament, but its foundation," he said, calling for the protection of journalists, human rights defenders, refugees, and migrants. The Secretary-General added that development finance is the "fuel" without which the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved.
"Hydrocarbon fuels are a losing bet"
The third focus, according to Guterres, must be climate justice. "Hydrocarbon fuels are a losing bet," he noted, recalling that almost all new energy capacity last year was generated from renewable sources. The Secretary-General warned that investment in the transition to green energy remains too uneven, and that "the window for keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is closing."
Machines should not decide who lives and who dies.
Speaking about new technologies, the Secretary-General emphasized the need to put them to the service of humanity. "Machines should not decide who lives and who dies," he stated, emphasizing the importance of creating and maintaining international mechanisms to regulate artificial intelligence, including the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
Speaking about strengthening the UN, Guterres emphasized that the Organization needs reform and the support of Member States. "For every dollar invested in peacebuilding, states spend $750 on weapons," he recalled. "This is not only short-sighted but also unjustified."
"Real power comes from people."
In concluding his speech, the Secretary-General drew on his personal experience of living under a dictatorship (referring to the Salazar regime in Portugal – editor’s note): “I grew up in a world where there were almost no elections… I understood that real strength comes from people – from our shared determination to defend dignity.”
"In a world of many decisions, there is one we must never make: the decision to give up," said António Guterres. "We must never give up. That is my promise to you."
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
.