Mr. Guterres was talking on the annual assembly of the World Financial Discussion board, the unique occasion held excessive within the Swiss Alps the place senior politicians, Heads of State and CEOs of a few of the world’s greatest and most influential corporations rub shoulders.
The UN Secretary-Normal took purpose on the theme of this yr’s assembly, Collaboration for the Clever Age, sustaining that there was scant proof of both collaboration or intelligence and loads of proof that lots of the world’s issues are worsening, from conflicts to inequality and assaults on human rights.
Nuclear warfare is now not the one existential risk to humanity, he stated, pointing to the local weather disaster and the “ungoverned growth” of Synthetic Intelligence (AI).
‘Fossil gas habit’
Likening fossil gas habit to Frankenstein’s monster – “sparing nothing and nobody” – the Secretary-Normal famous the irony that 13 of the world’s greatest ports for oil supertankers are set to be overwhelmed by rising sea ranges, a consequence of rising temperatures and sea ice soften, precipitated overwhelmingly by burning coal, crude oil and pure gasoline.
A lot of monetary establishments and industries are backtracking on local weather commitments, famous Mr. Guterres.
A transfer that’s, he stated “short-sighted, and paradoxically, it’s egocentric and in addition self-defeating. You might be on the incorrect facet of historical past. You might be on the incorrect facet of science. And you might be on the incorrect facet of shoppers who’re on the lookout for extra sustainability, not much less.”
Waiting for the UN Local weather Convention (COP30) in Brazil on the finish of the yr, the UN chief reminded world leaders that they have to maintain their promise to supply new, economy-wide nationwide local weather motion plans nicely earlier than the occasion.
Growing nations want a “surge in finance” for local weather motion, he declared, urging not simply governments however all companies and monetary establishments to create sturdy and accountable transition plans.
AI’s untold promise
The subsequent existential risk, AI, is a double-edged sword, Mr. Guterres continued, as it’s already revolutionizing studying, diagnosing sicknesses, serving to farmers to extend their yields and bettering the concentrating on of help.
Nevertheless it comes with profound dangers whether it is left ungoverned: it may disrupt economies, undermine belief in establishments and deepen inequalities, the Secretary-Normal warned.
The World Digital Compact – a part of the Pact for the Future adopted by UN Member States final September – presents a “roadmap to harness the immense potential of digital expertise and shut digital divides” with a shared imaginative and prescient of AI serving humanity, not the opposite manner round.
Regardless of the challenges, the UN won’t ever halt its demand for peace grounded within the UN Constitution, worldwide regulation and the ideas of sovereignty, political independence and the territorial integrity of States, he stated.
Reforming establishments, from the worldwide monetary structure to the UN Safety Council, is, the UN chief asserted, a necessity as a result of methods of governance are sometimes ill-equipped to cope with right now’s challenges. However reaching these important modifications – which world leaders dedicated to ultimately September’s Summit of the Future – will solely be potential with political will, he stated, cautioning: “I’m not satisfied leaders get it.”
The Secretary-Normal concluded his remarks with a return to the theme of this yr’s Davos occasion, interesting to the worldwide neighborhood to face these existential challenges head on and work as one.