Editor TLN
First modification: Last modification:
During his speech at the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), on Monday and this Tuesday, September 20, the Secretary General, António Guterres, warned about the serious consequences that climate change is causing, as well as wars and the increase in poverty. In the first face-to-face meeting in three years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Guterres urged world leaders and governments to take urgent measures.
Year 2022 and the 21st century, but contrary to the expected progress, the world is going backwards.
In the midst of conflicts, climate catastrophes, rising poverty, inequality, and divisions between major powers that have worsened since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the population is facing “a crisis that cannot be seen in a generation,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The planet is in “great danger,” the organization’s leader warned, for which he urged the international community to redouble efforts to “get the world back on track.”
His statements were made on Monday and this Tuesday, September 20, during the United Nations General Assembly, the first made in person due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Russian war in Ukraine, at the center of the 77th UN Assembly
The main part of the agenda is occupied by the Russian invasion, the first conflict in European territory since the Balkan war in the 1990s, which amid the blockades of the ports of the attacked country and one of the largest grain exporters It has unleashed a global food crisis. Furthermore, it has opened fissures between the major powers in a way not seen since the Cold War.
The ongoing conflict not only threatens Ukraine’s sovereignty, but has raised fears of a nuclear catastrophe at the Zaporizhia nuclear plant, in the south of the nation and the largest in Europe, now occupied by Russia, Guterres recalled.
The leaders of various countries try to prevent a wider war and restore peace in Europe. However, diplomats do not expect any progress this week.
The loss of important grain and fertilizer exports from both Ukraine and Russia has triggered a food crisis, especially in developing countries, and skyrocketing inflation in many others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be the only one to participate virtually, on Wednesday, September 21, due to reasons beyond his control: the “ongoing foreign invasion” and military hostilities that require him to carry out his “national defense”. and security duties.
This was approved by the body through a vote last Friday, September 16, despite the votes against Russia and some of its allies.
“This is a decisive moment” to meet the Sustainable Development goals
In its most important week of the year, the United Nations urges to “rescue” the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the goals against poverty and for the protection of the planet, agreed in 2015, at a time when it seems impossible to achieve them.
However, Guterres appealed to prevent the agreed goals for 2030 from moving away in the midst of the global situation.
“This is a defining moment. All of you here today, and those tuning in from around the world, give me immense hope that we can put our hands on the helm of progress and take a new course. That we can rescue the Sustainable Development Goals.” and get back on track to build a better world that leaves no one behind. The world has a long list of things to do,” he said.
The highest diplomat of the organization affirmed that humanity faces various problems that cannot wait any longer to be addressed. Among them, education, decent jobs, equal rights and comprehensive medical care.
She also urged dealing with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, lack of access to finance for developing countries to recover from the health emergency, and regain ground on women’s rights.
“We have to recover the speed lost by the pandemic and reverse our lack of action,” insisted the president of the General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi.
The planet “is literally on fire”: Guterres calls for action against climate change
In the midst of climatic catastrophes that hit the quality of life, the economy and forced migrations increase, Guterres pointed out the “immense” need to save the planet that “is literally on fire.”
In this regard, the Portuguese diplomat called on countries to address the triple crisis of global warming, loss of biodiversity and pollution, and move away from the “suicidal” dependence on fossil fuels and promote the transition towards renewable energy.
Given the seriousness of the crisis, the UN representative asked world leaders to invest “as never before.”
Around 150 heads of state and government meet at the 77th leaders’ meeting in New York, which will last until September 26.
With Reuters and AP
