AI, climate and conflicts top Guterres’s agenda ahead of General Assembly
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of deep uncertainty ahead of the General Assembly, citing AI, climate change and inequality as existential threats while urging global cooperation and adherence to international law.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the world as entering “an era of deep uncertainty” and called for strengthened international cooperation to confront pressing global challenges. He identified three primary existential threats: unchecked artificial intelligence development, the accelerating climate crisis, and widening global inequalities. Guterres emphasized that while global institutions require reform, their core principles of peace and human rights must remain central to all efforts. He stressed that updating structures should reinforce, not abandon, these foundational values.
The Secretary-General reiterated urgent calls for a two-State solution in the Middle East and a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, framing both as critical priorities for de-escalation and diplomacy. He highlighted the devastation in Gaza and ongoing conflict in Ukraine as areas demanding immediate attention, urging leaders to prioritize dialogue over military action. Guterres also called for respect of navigational rights in key maritime straits and protection of civilians in conflict zones.
Addressing artificial intelligence, Guterres acknowledged its potential benefits in health, education and climate action but warned that risks are outpacing global understanding. He emphasized that governments must safeguard citizens from AI-related harms and that isolated voluntary pauses on AI development would be ineffective. The Secretary-General pointed to the UN’s Independent International Scientific Panel on AI as a key mechanism to guide evidence-based global discussions on AI governance.
Guterres concluded by urging world leaders to establish regulatory guardrails that ensure AI remains safe, transparent and accountable, with human dignity at its core. He called for international cooperation to prevent a “race to the bottom” on AI safety, particularly amid geopolitical tensions between major powers. The Secretary-General’s remarks set the tone for high-level debates on AI, climate and conflict expected during the upcoming General Assembly session.