In 2017, UN Chief António Guterres opened the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)stating that as a result of climate change, “extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent and severe.”
5 years later, at the 77th UNGA this week, his opening speech was instead a sobering depiction of how this previous caution has now become a reality as he recalled a recent trip to Pakistan.
“I have just returned from Pakistan, where I looked through a window into the future,” said Guterres. “[a] future of permanent and ubiquitous climate chaos on an unimaginable scale.”
He went on to address the lack of global response to the climate crisis, stating:
“What is happening in Pakistan demonstrates the sheer inadequacy of the global response to the climate crisis, and the betrayal and injustice at the heart of it.”
The UN General Assembly is a forum that unites the world’s powers through multilateral discussion and promotes international cooperation. At this week’s UNGA, Guterres’ words were urgent and painted a harrowing yet realistic picture of the state of the world as we know it.
Overall, Guterres’ speech provided context and clarity on the focus of this year’s debate, addressing the issues the world is currently facing, and providing “concrete recommendations and a call to action.”
Our world is blighted by war, battered by climate chaos, scarred by hate, and shamed by poverty & hunger.
This #UNGA I will address these issues with concrete recommendations & a call to action.
We need to come together around solutions – and we need to give hope. pic.twitter.com/au8lwHGXCc
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 14, 2022
“Don’t flood the world today; don’t drown it tomorrow”
After a brief welcome message, Guterres jumped straight into the “simply heartbreaking” events he recently witnessed in Pakistan.
Recalling his recent trip to the country still being devastated by floods, he insisted to the assembly that: “No picture can convey the scope of this catastrophe. The flooded area is three times the size of my entire country, Portugal.”
He went on to mention how those who are most vulnerable and contribute least to the crisis, are paying the price for the actions of “big emitters.”
Let’s stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change.
Today, it is Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 30, 2022
“G20 countries are responsible for 80 percent of emissions”
The UN Chief addressed the impact of G20 countries and the fact that they contribute most to global emissions, stating:
“They are also suffering the impact of record droughts, fires and floods – but climate action seems to be flatlining.”
His message to the world leaders was direct and clear: “lower the temperature — now.”
This firm instruction comes as the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) latest “United in Science” report shows global carbon dioxide emissions are again on the rise, now above pre-pandemic levels, and climate experts recently revealed the world is accelerating towards dangerous “climate tipping points,” possibly causing irreversible damage to the planet.
Latest #UnitedInScience report shows climate impacts heading into uncharted territories of destruction.
Yet each year we double-down on our fossil fuel addiction.
I urge leaders to heed the facts of this report & turn pledges into #ClimateAction.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 13, 2022
“Protect people and economies”
The UN Chief called upon all countries “with the G20 leading the way” to increase emissions reduction targets, limit warming, fund climate resilience and adaption in climate hotspots.
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Guterres urged:
“Unless action is taken now, unless funds are disbursed now, these tragedies will simply multiply, with devastating consequences for years to come, including instability and mass migration around the world.”
“The General Assembly is meeting at a time of great peril”
As part of his message to world leaders, Guterres outlined the reality of the issues we currently face as a global society, stating:
“Our world is blighted by war, battered by climate chaos, scarred by hate, and shamed by poverty, hunger, and inequality.”
He drew attention to the increasing “geostrategic divides” which are stifling action.
He highlighted how “conflicts and unrest continue to rage,” touching on the fallout of the Ukraine war in the country and across the world.
Guterres also spoke of how global hunger is on the rise, but also mentioned how “the rights of women and girls are going into reverse.”
During his time as UN Secretary General, Guterres has advocated strongly for gender equality within the UN Organization, bringing gender parity to most of the senior levels. By 2028, Guterres aims to expand on this, bringing parity to the entire organisation.
Since I launched our Gender Parity Strategy, the number of @UN entities with 50% or more women staff has gone from 5 to 26.
This is a major step, and I will continue working to achieve parity across our Organization. https://t.co/004orN5uTj pic.twitter.com/OhggWCSMbu
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 13, 2022
“Prejudice, discrimination, misinformation”
The UN Chief underlined how the United Nations 1945 Charter was being undermined by “nationalism” and “self-interest.”
He remarked at the “shocking disregard for the poorest and most vulnerable in our world,” as well as the actions of fossil fuel corporations and politicians; the problems caused by prejudice, discrimination, misinformation and hate speech; and the flaws of the global financial system.
His criticism highlights the change required at the individual, societal and institutional levels, and his recommendations underline the central message of the UN Development Program’s recent report.
“People need to see results in their everyday lives, or they will lose faith in their governments and institutions, and they will lose hope in the future,” said Guterres.
The UNDP report reveals how back-to-back global crises and worldwide unrest is causing an unprecedented rise in an “uncertainty complex.” The ensuing destabilization is “paralyzing the global response to the dramatic challenges we face,” and for the first time ever, causing human development to reverse.
The UN Chief’s remarks served as a stark reminder of how the world is straying off course of the 2030 Agenda’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which continue to be an urgent call to action for all member states of the UN General Assembly.
The mission of the interlinked global SDGs is to provide a “blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet” – a sentiment thread throughout the entirety of Guterres’ speech.
To sum up: Although urgent in his words, Guterres also emphasized the importance of hope, solidarity, sustainable development, and scientific progress to address global challenges and enact change for the better.
In the UN Chief’s own words; “in these turbulent times, the work of the United Nations is more necessary than ever.”
The UNGA Agenda: What will be covered this year
The UN General Assembly as “the main policy-making organ of the Organization” is where “dialogue and debate” occur, the “beating heart of the United Nations.” This year’s program for the General Debate includes as always an inaugural minute of silent prayer or meditation, brief coverage of recent UN committee elections, and then it goes straight into the crux of a packed general debate agenda.
Major talking points of this year’s General Debate include:
- International cooperation, security, and culture of peace
- International trade and development
- Globalization, sustainable development, and economic growth
- Disaster risk reduction and the protection of global climate
- Biological diversity and harmony with nature
- International migration and the refugee crisis
- Eradication of poverty and development of food security
- Prevention of armed conflict
- International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
- Elimination of racism and xenophobia
- Promotion and protection of human rights, addressing crimes against humanity
- Nuclear weapons, disarmament, and reducing nuclear danger
The UN Chief stated that “this year’s General Debate must be about providing hope and overcoming the divisions that are dramatically impacting the world.”
Our world is blighted by war, battered by climate chaos, scarred by hate, and shamed by poverty & hunger.
This #UNGA I will address these issues with concrete recommendations & a call to action.
We need to come together around solutions – and we need to give hope. pic.twitter.com/au8lwHGXCc
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 14, 2022
The General Debate will be held from Tuesday September 20 to Monday September 26 2022.
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Correction: This article has been significantly reorganised and amended since publication to amend the title and subtitle to better represent the content of the article; clarify the context of quotes from the UN Chief’s speech at the the 77th UNGA to prevent possible misrepresentation; remove two unrelated images; and remove an irrelevant statement regarding COVID-19 from the World Health Organisation.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of Impakter.com — In the Featured Photo: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in 2017. Featured Photo Credit: Faces Of The World/Flickr
