Secretary-General António Guterres insisted on Wednesday that in spite of unprecedented challenges the world continues to grapple with, there are reasons for cautious optimism in 2025.
Citing the long-awaited Gaza ceasefire, climate action, tackling inequaity and harnessing AI for the public good, Guterres said the world should never lose sight of the progress being made and the potentials ahead.
In his traditional new year address to the UN General Assembly, setting out his key priorities for the global organization, the UN chief also acknowledged the “turmoil of our world” and conceded that “it is understandable to get overwhelmed”.
The UN chief underscored positive developments on climate action that reflect the commitment of the global body to combating global warming.
He noted that “the world now invests almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels…almost everywhere, solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of new electricity – and the fastest growing in history.”
On the socio-economic progress made in line with UN values, Mr. Guterres noted that “in much of the world, girls have achieved parity in education”, and in the area of health, “more children are surviving today than ever before”.
He also noted that HIV infections have “continue to dramatically decline, along with malaria mortality rates”.
He described the UN as “a force of construction” that is always strengthening how it works and delivers in line with the maxim that global problems need global solutions.
Pandora’s Box
He however acknowledged that action and inaction has “unleashed a modern-day Pandora’s Box of ills,” typified in protracted wars, inequality, climate crisis and “out of control technology.”
Conflicts are multiplying with the full spectrum of human rights under increasing attack, he observed.
Mr. Guterres while encouraging the finalisation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, said “we must deny extremists a veto over a peaceful future”.
He announced he would be travelling to Lebanon later in the day, emboldened by the positive developments there in recent weeks that could see Israelis and Lebanese forge a new and lasting era of peace and security.
He also highlighted the conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, the Sahel and Haiti.
Tackling inequality
“Inequalities can be beaten,” he said, starting with accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through multilateral reform on all fronts.
He said the scourge of discrimination and hate speech was also fuelling inequality, as such there was need to strengthen “communities of belonging”.
“This is even more crucial as guardrails around social media platforms are being dismantled, allowing disinformation and hate speech to run rampant.”
Climate crisis
Referencing the infernos engulfing the canyons of Los Angeles, the UN chief said everyday people worldwide are suffering the deadly effects of a warming planet and extreme weather.
Guterres however said there is a huge opportunity to reverse the damage and build on climate action such as renewable energy growth, a commitment to net zero and national plans to cut emissions.
He said that the UN is assisting nearly 100 developing countries with their climate action plans ahead of the pivotal COP30 in Brazil later this year, and promised a special stocktaking event to keep the 1.5℃ target within reach.
The Secretary-General said the technology revolution in 2025 also offers “unprecedented opportunities” which needs careful stewardship and a commitment to equal access for all.
According to him, rapid and decisive action must be taken across the UN to ensure a level playing field including the setting up of an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, without delay.
Secondly, governance of Artificial Intelligence must protect human rights while also promoting innovation. Third, developing countries must be supported so AI can be leveraged for sustainable development, he said.
“Humanity’s hand must be firmly in control” of the tech revolution”, with every nation helping to shape AI to advance human progress, equality and dignity, the UN chief said.
Hope remains
In closing, the Secretary-General said, “We must never lose sight of hope.”
“And we will work to lift the lid on that hope through action. To make it real, to help it spread – sticking to principles, speaking the truth, never giving up.”
