“My message to every Member State is this: Don’t wait for others to make the first move. ‘Obligation to act’ over climateīridging the climate divide will require bridging trust between the North and South, he said, underscoring the need for success at the COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow, which starts on 31 October.Ĭountries need to show more ambition in the key areas of mitigation, finance and adaptation, which includes committing to carbon neutrality by 2050, and providing the $100 billion annually promised a decade ago, to support developing nations. The Secretary-General called for cooperation, dialogue and understanding to restore trust and inspire hope among nations, and for investment in prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The fact that the world’s two largest economies are at odds represents another concern, making it impossible to address “dramatic economic and development challenges.” “We are also seeing an explosion in seizures of power by force,” he continued, adding that “military coups are back.”Īdditionally, lack of international unity is another hindrance, with geopolitical divisions “undermining international cooperation and limiting the capacity of the Security Council to take the necessary decisions.” “For far too many around the world, peace and stability remain a distant dream,” he said, pointing to places such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Syria, and the Sahel region in Africa. He listed six “Great Divides”, or “Grand Canyons”, that must be bridged, starting with achieving peace. Stating that “now is the time to deliver”, and also to restore trust and inspire hope, the UN chief stressed that these problems can be solved. Promises, after all, are worthless if people do not see results in their daily lives.” Bridging the ‘Great Divides’ “ A breakdown in trust is leading to a breakdown in values. “Like never before, core values are in the crosshairs,” he said. Guterres described as “a dead end to destruction.”Īdditionally, people are at risk of losing faith not only in their governments, but in UN values such as peace, human rights, dignity for all, equality, justice and solidarity.

While the pandemic and the climate crisis have exposed profound fragilities, countries have shunned solidarity and are instead pursuing what Mr. On the other hand, we see that triumph undone by the tragedy of a lack of political will, selfishness and mistrust.”įor the Secretary-General, the fact that most wealthier countries are vaccinated, while more than 90 per cent of Africans are still awaiting their first dose, was “a moral indictment of the state of our world” and “an obscenity”. “On the one hand, we see the vaccines developed in record time - a victory of science and human ingenuity. Guterres singled out one disturbing image as indicative of the present moment, citing “the picture we have seen from some parts of the world of COVID-19 vaccines…in the garbage. And let us start right now.” COVID-19 ‘moral indictment’Īmid “the greatest cascade of crises in our lifetimes” - which include the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, and upheaval in places such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Yemen - Mr.

An age of possibilities,” the Secretary-General told world leaders and ambassadors. We are on the edge of an abyss - and moving in the wrong direction'. 'I am here to sound the alarm: The world must wake up. The UN Secretary-General delivers a strong message at the opening of the #UNGA76 General Debate.

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