Olivia Rosane is a staff writer for Common Dreams.
As the United Nations celebrates the 80th anniversary of its first General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that militarism, fossil fuels, and tech-based disruption are threatening its mission of international collaboration at a time when it is urgently needed.
Guterres delivered his remarks on Saturday at the Methodist Central Hall in London, where the first UN General Assembly was held on January 10, 1946. The first UN Security Council meeting was held on January 17 of the same year, also in London.'We see powerful forces lining up to undermine global cooperation,' Guterres said.He continued: 'Last year, the UN reported that global military spending reached $2.7 trillion—over 200 times the UK’s current aid budget, or equivalent to over 70% of Britain’s entire economy. As the planet broke heat records, fossil fuel profits continued to surge. And in cyberspace, algorithms rewarded falsehoods, fueled hatred, and provided authoritarians with powerful tools of control.''The General Assembly which we celebrate today exists because of a simple truth—humanity is strongest when we stand as one.'Guterres, whose term as secretary-general comes to an end at the close of 2026, reflected on the tumultuous decade he had presided over.He began his term in 2017, in the wake of President Donald Trump's first electoral victory in the US and the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom. That year, he also spoke in the same location, he said, and warned of the escalation of local conflicts, the rise of artificial intelligence and other new technologies, and how national sovereignty was being used as an excuse to disregard human rights.'Over the last decade,' he said, 'all of this and more has unfolded at warp speed. The conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan have been vicious and cruel beyond measure; artificial intelligence has become ubiquitous almost overnight; and the pandemic poured accelerant on the fires of nationalism—stalling progress on development and climate action.''If this period has taught us anything,' he continued, 'it is that our challenges are ever more borderless, and ever more interconnected. The only way to address them is together. And that requires a robust, responsive, and well-resourced multilateral system.'But that system, he said, was 'under threat.''2025 was a profoundly challenging year for international cooperation and the values of the UN,' he said. 'Aid was slashed. Inequalities widened. Climate chaos accelerated. International law was trampled. Crackdowns on civil society intensified. Journalists were killed with impunity. And United Nations staff were repeatedly threatened—or killed—in the line of duty.'While Guterres did not call out any particular country or leader, the Guardian noted that Trump's decision to dramatically slash US humanitarian funding for the UN last year is the leading cause of its budget troubles. Early in 2026, Trump also withdrew the US from key treaties including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.Guterres' remarks came the same day that Trump threatened new tariffs against eight long-time European allies over their opposition to his desire for the US to acquire Greenland, further throwing international alliances into chaos.The UN leader called on the body to adjust to a shifting global reality without abandoning its mission.'The world of 2026 is not the world of 1946,' he said. 'As global centers of power shift, we have the potential to build a future that is either more fair—or more unstable. If we wish to make it more fair, it is critical that the international system reflects today’s reality.'Despite the challenges he described, Guterres called on members of the United Nations Association-UK , which organized Saturday's meeting, to continue with their work.'In this moment when the values of multilateralism are being chipped away, it is up to us—in our capacity as professionals, as voters, and as members of organizations like the UNA-UK—to take a stand. More than ever, the world needs civil society movements that are fearless and persistent—that make it impossible for leaders to look away.''The General Assembly which we celebrate today exists because of a simple truth—humanity is strongest when we stand as one,' he continued. 'But that unity does not start in the General Assembly—it starts here, with people’s movements like yours.'
Militarism Fossil-Fuels Artificial-Intelligence Climate-Emergency Donald-Trump Antonio-Guterres
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2025 PS5 Console Exclusive Just Stealth Released on Xbox Series X (And It’s Much Cheaper)A 2025 PS5 console exclusive has just been stealth released on Xbox Series X, and it's much cheaper on Xbox than PlayStation.
Read more »
The 5 Best Android Phones Of 2025 Ranked, According To Consumer ReportsJonathan is a versatile writer with more than five years of experience and an extensive history of writing about computer hardware in the context of gaming, ergonomics, and economic value.
Read more »
2025 CFP Title Odds: Back Mark Fletcher for Offensive MVPIf Miami expects to win the national title, its run game will need to be on point. That's why Will Hill is backing the Canes' back for Offensive MVP.
Read more »
USWNT's Rose Lavelle and Lilly Reale earn US Soccer honors as best players of 2025National team midfielder Rose Lavelle has been named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year
Read more »
Top Luxury Campaigns of 2025: Burberry's 'It's Always Burberry Weather'This article highlights Burberry's successful luxury campaign 'It's Always Burberry Weather,' showcasing its innovative approach and impact in the luxury market in 2025.
Read more »
2025 CFP, NFL, Tennis Odds: Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Expert Picks, Best BetsPro football, college football and tennis — what more could a sports fan ask for? Check out the Bear's best bets for January and a little beyond.
Read more »