Guterres urges global action on AI, conflicts, climate and UN reform
In his final General Assembly address, Antonio Guterres called for AI safeguards, an end to wars, climate accountability and reform of UN institutions.
New York, United States. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used his final address to the General Assembly on Tuesday to call for global regulation of artificial intelligence, an end to wars, stronger climate action and reforms to UN institutions.
His second five-year term ends on December 31, following a decade in which he sought to position the United Nations as a mediator in conflicts and a forum for governance of emerging technologies.
Call for AI safeguards
Guterres reiterated his call for international oversight of AI risks as the UN Security Council prepared to host AI leaders for a briefing on the technology.
“Those countries leading this technological revolution must share information on emerging safety risks, cooperate on testing and evaluation – and work towards common safeguards that protect us all,” he told the assembly.
He urged leaders to advance conditions for the responsible pacing of AI, introduce additional safeguards to address risks, and work towards a multilateral AI risk management framework supported by credible and independent oversight.
The 15-member Security Council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, first discussed the risks of artificial intelligence in 2023. At that meeting, China said the technology should not become a “runaway horse”, while the United States warned against its use to censor or repress people.
In 2023, the UN also established a 39-member advisory body on AI, including technology company executives, government officials and academics from countries including the United States, Russia and Japan.
US-China proposal
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that Washington had proposed a new AI safety notification mechanism for US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider at their summit this week.
The proposal emerged from talks on creating a US-China AI dialogue and would cover AI-related incidents with national security implications.
UN reform and global challenges
Guterres reflected on gridlock within the organisation as nearly 130 world leaders gathered in New York. Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as leaders from South Africa, India and Germany, did not attend the diplomatic meeting.
Delegates gave sustained applause when Guterres defended a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, said that “polluters must pay” for climate change, and pressed for reform of international institutions.
He has championed those causes throughout his tenure, during which major powers increasingly bypassed the UN and Washington reduced its funding.
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