“We will not be returning to the old normal. The only way to achieve better outcomes is to transform. The contours of the transformation we need are already known. The
Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the
Sendai Framework, the
Paris Agreement and
Our Common Agenda, all point us in the right direction. What remains to be seen, is whether we will deliver”, he said.
“This ominous reality calls all of us to unite around the issue of disarmament”, he noted.
Mr. Kőrösi also committed to engaging meaningfully with civil society partners, academics, the private sector as well as researchers and practitioners to lend solutions that are rooted in facts, verified information and science.
Mr. Guterres told delegates at the General Assembly that the world is looking at them to use all the tools at their disposal to negotiate, form consensus and offer solutions.
Mr. Kőrösi also warned that conflicts will worsen as our planet heats up and its natural resources grow more scarce.
Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the first plenary meeting of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.Mr. Kőrösi underscored that the conflict in Ukraine has been a “turning point”, and unless the world is vigilant, the “method” of warfare stemming from Russia’s invasion could become a part of the “toolkit of international life”.
No ‘business as usual’
The UN chief closed his speech highlighting that the 77th General Assembly Session must be a moment of transformation, “for people and planet alike”.
The new president added that the risk of use of nuclear weapons is now higher than in the past 40 years.
Acknowledging that the world faces uncertainty and widening geopolitical fissures, Csaba Kőrösi reminded delegates that the United Nations was created out of the ashes of war and destruction, with the intention of being “a well of solutions”.
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, was the second to speak during today’s General Assembly session.
“We face a world in peril across our work to advance peace, human rights and sustainable development”, he said, calling for solidarity to demonstrate the great promise and the potential of the United Nations.“We must also reach out actively to young people, engaging them in what we do so that when they sit in these seats, they can come with better plans and better ideas than we did”, he added, noting the recent landmark resolution to create a United Nations Youth Office.
Science as a guide
“Debate. Deliberation. Diplomacy. These eternal tools represent the best pathway to a better, more peaceful world”, he underscored.
“This war must be stopped. It kills people, it kills development, it kills nature and kills dreams of millions”, he emphasised.
A man walks in front of a crater left by an explosion during escalating conflict in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Girls studying science in Viet Nam. The new General Assembly president highlighted that his tenure would push “solutions through solidarity, sustainability and science”, enhancing the role of science in the UN body’s decision shaping.