UN chief warns of global fragmentation; urges action on climate, gender equality

NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, delivered a sobering message as he inaugurated the UN General Assembly in New York. Calling a spade a spade, he delved into armed conflicts, climate crisis and gender disparity.

Without naming any particular country for any of these crisis, he described a world grappling with escalating geopolitical tensions, continued climate change, and a concerning lack of unity in the face of mounting global challenges.

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Armed conflicts

In the opening address to the 78^th session of the UN, Guterres lamented that the landscape of global governance appeared stagnant at a time when the need for robust, contemporary, and collaborative institutions was more pressing than ever before. Reflecting on a tumultuous year marked by divisions over the conflict in Ukraine, Guterres placed these disputes in a broader context, warning, “Institutions must evolve to effectively tackle current issues. Failure to adapt risks these institutions becoming part of the very problems they are meant to solve.” He emphasized that divisions were deepening not only among economic and military powers but also between regions, including the north and south, east and west.

Furthermore, Guterres cautioned that the world stood on the brink of a significant fracture in economic and financial systems and trade relations. He highlighted the potential threats to an open internet, diverging strategies regarding technology and artificial intelligence, and the possibility of clashing security frameworks.

Climate change

In an impassioned plea, the UN Secretary-General criticized world leaders for their inadequate efforts in addressing the climate crisis, stating that they had fallen far short of their responsibilities. He urged them to take an unprecedented step by halting the expansion of coal, oil, and gas production. “Every corner of the globe is feeling the effects of climate change, but not all leaders are feeling the urgency,” Guterres remarked, asserting that the fossil fuel era had proven itself a failure.

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Gender equality

Guterres also drew attention to the gender disparity in the General Assembly hall, noting the predominance of male attendees. He reminded the global community that “we the peoples” in the UN charter should encompass all genders and not just men. Guterres highlighted that only four women had signed the UN charter, and this glaring gender gap remained unresolved.

President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support for women and girls still battling for equality and respect. He stressed the importance of actualizing gender equality and women’s empowerment, emphasizing that women should have full, equal, and meaningful participation at every level of society.