The world must unite to combat growing inequality, climate crisis, new tech challenges

Last updated on July 7th, 2023 at 06:53 am

Amid widening divisions and rising geopolitical tensions, the world must “unite for solutions” against three major challenges troubling humanity, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday.

The UN chief was addressing the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. In terms of population and landmass, it’s the largest regional security body in the world – and currently includes India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Iran.

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The UN has had a cooperation agreement with SCO since 2010. The summit this year is being hosted by India via video conference, with participating countries discussing key issues including trade, economic connectivity and regional security.

‘Together’ Is The Only Solution

Guterres told Member States the growing divisions had been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, differences over security threats, responses to global crises and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said there were three main areas where the world must “unite for solutions”. The first was the raging climate emergency. The UN chief stressed the need for humanity to work together or else “we are heading for disaster.”

Guterres raised concerns over the world navigating through the new tech era “completely unprepared“. AI, bioengineering and autonomous weapons were sectors where our abilities to safely develop and regulate the industry and companies pioneering it “are falling far behind”.

Necessary Efforts To Reduce Injustice

The UN chief asked States to focus on fair globalization, finance reforms and climate justice in order to bring equity and balance. He highlighted the need for deep reforms to make global frameworks more responsive to the needs of developing and emerging economies.

Guterres stressed the need for a government in Afghanistan that will safeguard the rights of all its people, especially girls and women, and prevent terrorism and violent extremism from stepping inside the country.