Against
the backdrop of asymmetric conflicts between
States and non-State groups and a renewed
threat of nuclear proliferation, Secretary-General
António Guterres maintained that “prevention
is more essential than ever”, and the
only path to stability lies in more multilateralism.
Deeply
troubled that refugees and migrants continue
to die as they cross seas and deserts, the
Secretary-General encouraged “collective
responses”, including job programmes
which would give young people a reason not
to leave home in the first place. He
said migration and resettlement pathways needed
to be made more secure. He also pointed to
a “troubling pushback against human
rights” globally, including rising misogyny,
xenophobia and hate speech, which must be
challenged with leadership and political courage,
“based on reason and facts”. “Diversity
is not a threat but an asset”, he stated.
Climate-related natural disasters
are becoming more frequent, deadly and destructive,
with growing human and financial costs, threatening
ecosystems, endangering food security, triggering
conflicts, and forcing people from their homes.
More political will is needed he said, to
stop subsidizing fossil fuels and building
coal power plants. Instead, nature-based solutions
must be harnessed, with a shift inside developing
countries towards adaptation, better disaster
response and recovery.
Unrest around the world in
recent months has shown the urgency of moving
towards equality, with social and economic
systems that work for everyone. People need
more of a say in decisions that affect their
lives, said the UN chief. Peaceful, stable
societies require equal opportunities and
“respect for the rights and freedoms
of all”, Mr. Guterres argued, calling
for a fairer, more inclusive social contract.
While new technologies offer
tools for peace and sustainable development,
they also pose risks, if misused, increasing
divisions and adding to exclusion and inequality.
To address this, the UN chief upheld that
long-term technology education strategies
be put into place along with social protections
and flexible regulation frameworks to confront
digital challenges, such as a ban on lethal
autonomous weapons that “kill without
human intervention”.
Mr. Guterres
stressed the need to preserve a global system
with a universal economy that respects international
law – “a multipolar world with
solid multilateral institutions”. Multilateralism,
links “local actions and urgent global
priorities”, he said, elaborating that
fighting the climate emergency means advancing
peace and social cohesion. Preventing crises
means investing in inclusive, sustainable
development; and expanding technology access
means taking action for gender equality.
Italia News Partner
