With the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approaching, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on world leaders to move beyond rhetoric and deliver concrete progress. Addressing the media at the UN Headquarters, Guterres emphasized that the upcoming high-level week should be defined by action rather than political posturing.
Guterres warned that the globe is navigating “turbulent, uncharted waters,” with intensifying geopolitical divisions, persistent conflicts, climate instability, fast-evolving technologies and growing inequality. According to him, these challenges are straining international cooperation, making the current moment one of the most fragile periods for global partnerships in decades.
Nearly 150 heads of state and government are expected to attend UNGA Week, along with thousands of officials and diplomats. Guterres noted that he intends to hold more than 150 bilateral meetings during the event, calling on leaders to engage directly in bridging divides, reducing risk and crafting solutions.
Central to the agenda are issues of peace, climate, technology governance, gender equality, financing development and reforming the UN system. Guterres urged nations to escalate their climate ambitions to uphold the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C, as set in the Paris Agreement. He also reiterated the urgency of establishing “a just, lasting peace” in conflict zones including Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, with a renewed push for a two-state solution in the Middle East.
Additionally, the week will see the inauguration of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance as an initiative intended to guide emerging technology in ways that serve humanity. Leaders will also engage with international financial institutions for an unprecedented biennial summit aimed at reinforcing commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, many of which are currently lagging.
Guterres concluded by stressing that the scale of the crises demands more than promises: “This cannot be about scoring points – it must be about solving problems. There is too much at stake.”
