{"id":21812,"date":"2023-09-22T09:50:16","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T09:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/eritrea\/all-news\/un-secretary-general-addresses-general-debate-78th-session"},"modified":"2023-09-22T10:01:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T10:01:41","slug":"un-secretary-general-addresses-general-debate-78th-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/eritrea\/all-news\/un-secretary-general-addresses-general-debate-78th-session","title":{"rendered":"UN Secretary-General Addresses General Debate, 78th Session"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Eritrea. <\/strong><\/span>The UN Secretary-General, Anto\u0301nio Guterres, opened the High-level week of the General Assembly warning that the world \u201cis becoming unhinged\u201d and that is happening \u201cat a time of chaotic transition.<\/p>\n

Addressing Member States today (19 Sep), Guterres made a call to renew multilateral institutions, saying that \u201cgeopolitical tensions are rising\u201d, \u201cglobal challenges are mounting\u201d and \u201cwe seem incapable of coming together to respond\u201d.<\/p>\n

Guterres added, \u201cWe are inching ever closer to a Great Fracture in economic and financial systems and trade relations; one that threatens a single, open internet; with diverging strategies on technology and artificial intelligence; and potentially clashing security frameworks.<\/p>\n

It is high time to renew institutions based on 21st century economic and political realities \u2013 rooted in equity, solidarity and universality \u2013 anchored in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.<\/p>\n

\u201d The Secretary-General recognized the obstacles, saying \u201cI have no illusions.<\/p>\n

Reforms are a question of power. I know there are many competing interests and agendas. But the alternative to reform is not the status quo. The alternative to reform is further fragmentation.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s reform or rupture. \u201d According to Guterres, \u201cin the face of all these challenges and more, compromise has become a dirty word. \u201d
\n\u201cOur world needs statesmanship, not gamesmanship and gridlock.<\/p>\n

As I told the G20, it is time for a global compromise. Politics is compromise. Diplomacy is compromise. Effective leadership is compromise,\u201d said the UN chief.<\/p>\n

The Secretary-General also mentioned climate change, saying, \u201cWe have just survived the hottest days, hottest months, and hottest summer on the books.<\/p>\n

Behind every broken record are broken economies, broken lives and whole nations at the breaking point. Every continent, every region and every country is feeling the heat.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019m not sure all leaders are feeling that heat. Actions are falling abysmally short. \u201d For Guterres, \u201cclimate chaos is breaking new records, but we cannot afford the same old broken record of scapegoating and waiting for others to move first.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to all those working, marching and championing real climate action, I want you to know: You are on the right side of history.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m with you. I won\u2019t give up this fight of our lives,\u201d added the UN chief. On gender equality, the Secretary-General said, \u201cJust four women signed our founding document.<\/p>\n

One look around this room shows not enough has changed. \u201cWe, the Peoples\u201d does not mean \u201c’We, the men. ‘\u201d He added, \u201cIn some countries, women and girls are punished for wearing too many clothes; in others, for wearing too few.<\/p>\n

Thanks to generations of women\u2019s rights activists, times are changing. From sports fields to schools and public squares, girls and women are challenging the patriarchy — and winning. I stand with them. \u201d<\/p>\n

Guterres also mentioned the dangers of Artificial Intelligence, noting that when he referred to the issue in his General Assembly speech in 2017, only two other leaders even uttered the term.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow AI is on everyone\u2019s lips \u2013 a subject of both awe, and fear.<\/p>\n

Even some of those who developed generative AI are calling for greater regulation. But many of the dangers of digital technology are not looming. They are here,\u201d the UN chief concluded.
\n