Superpowers cannot solve world’s problems, UN chief says in final general assembly address

António Guterres says humanity faces unprecedented convergence of threats but mechanisms for collective action are under growing strain The world’s fault lines have turned from cracks into canyons as superpowers show that they alone do not have the military, economic and technological power to guarantee security, or solve the world’s problems, the outgoing secretary general of the United Nations has said in his final address to the general assembly.

In a speech laced with despair but also glimpses of defiant hope, António Guterres warned that over the last decade, largely spanning his eight-year period in office “wars erupted with devastating consequences and dragged on with despicable cruelty.

Civilians were targeted.

Human rights trampled.

Hunger weaponised.

Humanitarians killed.

International law cast aside.

Geopolitical divides have deepened.

Inequalities have intensified.

Trust has frayed.

The climate crisis went from distant warning to daily reality.

And artificial intelligence moved at a speed that has blind-sided even those who created it.” Continue reading...