UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sees the current crises in the world as a serious threat to the future of humanity. During the 77th General Assembly debate of the UN General Assembly in New York, he mentioned the war in Ukraine, exploding costs of living and social inequalities.
“Our world is in big trouble. These crises threaten the future of humanity and the fate of our planet. We have a duty to act. And yet we are stuck in a global dysfunction,” UN chief Guterres said. The international community is not ready or willing “to tackle the great dramatic challenges of our time”.
Shine of hope like grain deals
But there are also glimmers of hope, such as the grain deal in Ukraine. This would have shown what international cooperation can achieve when the world and conflicting parties come together. Overall, the war led to widespread destruction with massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
In addition to the criticism and praise, Guterres also made concrete suggestions for improvement in his opening speech. A “coalition of the world” is needed. Developed countries should tax unexpected extra profits from oil companies. According to the UN head, the proceeds will then be used to fight the climate crisis and benefit people suffering from rising food and energy prices.
140 heads of state and government
The 77th UN General Assembly General Assembly debate began in New York on Tuesday. More than 140 heads of state and government are expected, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (both ÖVP) came from Austria. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen came from London, where he had attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The three politicians have planned several bilateral and multilateral talks in the coming days, including with Turkish President Erdogan.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
