UN Chief Urges Courage and Unity Ahead of 'Summit of the Future'
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UN chief calls for 'courage' ahead of Summit of the Future
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Thursday for world leaders to show greater "vision" and "courage" in their approach to the future, as a crunch summit on the threats and opportunities of the coming years nears. In 2021, Guterres conceived the Summit of the Future, which on September 22 will see all 193 UN member nations seek to adopt a pact on what lays ahead, as a prelude to the annual General Assembly, which brings together world leaders. Despite intense negotiations, the last version of the draft text published in August has been panned by observers as badly lacking in ambition. "My appeal is for you to push hard for the deepest reforms and most meaningful actions possible. We need maximum ambition during these final days of negotiation," Guterres said Thursday in a video statement issued to coincide with a virtual event 10 days ahead of the summit. "We have no effective global response to new and even existential threats," he said highlighting the challenges posed by climate change, as well as artificial intelligence being developed in an "ethical and legal vacuum." He flagged nuclear threats, the perils of populism, raging conflict and geopolitical divisions. "Our institutions cannot keep up, because they were designed for another era and another world. The Security Council is stuck in a time warp -- the international financial architecture is outdated and ineffective -- and we are simply not equipped to take on a wide range of emerging issues," he said. "I call on Member States to act swiftly, with vision, courage, solidarity and a spirit of compromise" to get the three draft agreements over the finish line. Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, which along with Namibia is facilitating the negotiations, said there was at least some good news. "An overwhelming majority of countries in the world agree on the goals that humanity should be striving for: We want a world that is safe, peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous," he said. "The Pact offers us the chance to change the narrative of division, polarization and uncertainty. It offers us the chance to show the world that cooperation still yields results. That multilateralism is alive," he added, while acknowledging the hurdles to reaching agreement. The text under discussion contains around 60 "actions" on everything from the importance of multilateralism to respect for the UN Charter and peacekeeping. It also emphasizes the need for reform of international financial institutions and the UN Security Council, as well as the fight against climate change, the importance of disarmament and the development of artificial intelligence.
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UN Chief Calls For 'Courage' Ahead Of Summit Of The Future
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Thursday for world leaders to show greater "vision" and "courage" in their approach to the future, as a crunch summit on the threats and opportunities of the coming years nears. In 2021, Guterres conceived the Summit of the Future, which on September 22 will see all 193 UN member nations seek to adopt a pact on what lays ahead, as a prelude to the annual General Assembly, which brings together world leaders. Despite intense negotiations, the last version of the draft text published in August has been panned by observers as badly lacking in ambition. "My appeal is for you to push hard for the deepest reforms and most meaningful actions possible. We need maximum ambition during these final days of negotiation," Guterres said Thursday in a video statement issued to coincide with a virtual event 10 days ahead of the summit. "We have no effective global response to new and even existential threats," he said highlighting the challenges posed by climate change, as well as artificial intelligence being developed in an "ethical and legal vacuum." He flagged nuclear threats, the perils of populism, raging conflict and geopolitical divisions. "Our institutions cannot keep up, because they were designed for another era and another world. The Security Council is stuck in a time warp -- the international financial architecture is outdated and ineffective -- and we are simply not equipped to take on a wide range of emerging issues," he said. "I call on Member States to act swiftly, with vision, courage, solidarity and a spirit of compromise" to get the three draft agreements over the finish line. Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, which along with Namibia is facilitating the negotiations, said there was at least some good news. "An overwhelming majority of countries in the world agree on the goals that humanity should be striving for: We want a world that is safe, peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous," he said. "The Pact offers us the chance to change the narrative of division, polarization and uncertainty. It offers us the chance to show the world that cooperation still yields results. That multilateralism is alive," he added, while acknowledging the hurdles to reaching agreement. The text under discussion contains around 60 "actions" on everything from the importance of multilateralism to respect for the UN Charter and peacekeeping. It also emphasizes the need for reform of international financial institutions and the UN Security Council, as well as the fight against climate change, the importance of disarmament and the development of artificial intelligence.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for global cooperation and courage as world leaders prepare for the 'Summit of the Future' amid rising geopolitical tensions and challenges.
UN Chief's Call to Action
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a powerful plea for global unity and courage as world leaders prepare to gather for the upcoming 'Summit of the Future'. In a world grappling with escalating conflicts, climate crises, and economic uncertainties, Guterres emphasized the critical need for international cooperation to address these pressing challenges
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.The Summit of the Future
Scheduled for September 2024, the 'Summit of the Future' aims to bring together world leaders to forge a new global consensus on how to deliver a better future for humanity. This high-level meeting comes at a time when the world faces numerous interconnected crises, from ongoing conflicts to the existential threat of climate change
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.Geopolitical Tensions and Challenges
Guterres highlighted the current geopolitical landscape, noting that the world is experiencing levels of tension not seen since the Cold War. He pointed out the increasing fragmentation of the global community, with major powers often at odds and unable to find common ground on critical issues. This division, he warned, hampers effective responses to global challenges
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.Climate Crisis and Economic Disparities
The UN chief also drew attention to the urgent need to address the climate crisis and growing economic inequalities. He stressed that these issues require immediate and coordinated global action, emphasizing that no single country can tackle these challenges alone
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.Call for Multilateralism
In his address, Guterres made a strong case for renewed commitment to multilateralism. He argued that in an interconnected world, isolationism and nationalism are not viable solutions to global problems. Instead, he called for a reinvigorated system of international cooperation, with the United Nations at its center
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Expectations for the Summit
The 'Summit of the Future' is expected to produce a Pact for the Future, a document that will outline shared principles for collective action to tackle global challenges. Guterres expressed hope that this summit would serve as a turning point, fostering a new era of global cooperation and shared responsibility
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.The Role of Courage in Global Leadership
Guterres emphasized that courage would be essential for world leaders attending the summit. He called on them to move beyond short-term national interests and embrace a broader, more inclusive vision for the future of humanity. This courage, he argued, would be crucial in making the difficult decisions necessary to address global challenges effectively
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