Let’s start with the good news.

It is understandable to get overwhelmed by the turmoil of our world. But as we look to the year ahead, we must never lose sight of progress and potential. And there are signs of hope.

On the climate front, the world now invests almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels. And almost everywhere, solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of new electricity — and the fastest growing in history.

In much of the world, girls have achieved parity in education. More children are surviving today than ever before. HIV infections continue to dramatically decline, along with malaria mortality rates.

We have seen meaningful new steps to reduce child marriage, protect our oceans, and expand internet access. And we begin 2025 lifted by the commitments of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. These measures are an affirmation of the power and purpose of our United Nations (UN) in our eightieth anniversary year.

Through thick and thin, the world has come together through the United Nations to tackle some of the most intractable problems.

Easing tensions. Forging and keeping peace. Setting bold goals to fight poverty, hunger, inequality and climate change. Seeking accountability for violations of international law, including international human rights law. Delivering lifesaving aid in the most desperate places on earth.

From day one, the United Nations has represented the global conscience. In a world seemingly hellbent on destruction, our organization has been a force of construction. And, every day, we continue to strengthen how we work and deliver.

From bolstering the UN development system on the ground … to achieving gender parity at the highest levels.

We remain restless for reform — striving to be more effective and cost-effective … simplifying procedures and decentralizing decisions … enhancing transparency and accountability … and shifting resources to invest in data, digital, innovation, strategic foresight and behavioral science through our UN 2.0 initiative.

The United Nations reflects a key truth: global problems demand global solutions. The more the UN does together to address big challenges around the world, the less the burden on individual countries to do it alone.

This spirit of hope rooted in action must propel us forward. Yes, there is progress in our tumultuous world. But let’s have no illusions: this is very much a world in turmoil and grave uncertainty.

Our actions — or inactions — have unleashed a modern-day Pandora’s box of ills. Four of those ills stand out because they represent, at best, threats that could disrupt every aspect of our agenda and, at worst, upend our very existence:

Runaway conflicts.

Rampant inequalities.

The raging climate crisis.

And out-of-control technology.

The good news is that we have the plans to tackle these challenges.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to get the wheel moving.

Through acceleration and transformation — oriented around the Pact for the Future, the implementation of which will be a central priority in 2025.

Let’s start with peace. Conflicts are multiplying, becoming messier and deadlier. Deepening geo-political divisions and mistrust are adding fuel to the fire. The nuclear threat is at its highest in decades.

The spectrum of human rights is under constant attack. Impunity is endemic — with serial violations of international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter — and systematic assaults on our very institutions.

I want to once again salute the backbone of the humanitarian response, our colleagues in UNRWA. Of course nothing can justify the terror attacks by Hamas on 7th October. And nothing can justify the dramatic levels of death and destruction inflicted on the Palestinian people.

For months, there has been no ceiling to the suffering and no bottom to the horrors.

Across the region, we are seeing a reshaping of the Middle East. What is far less clear is what will emerge.

In Israel and Palestine, will we see irreversible action toward a two-State solution, in line with UN resolutions, international law, and previous agreements — as we have constantly advocated?

Or will we instead see steady annexation by Israel … the denial of the Palestinian people’s rights and dignity … and the destruction of any chance of sustainable peace?

In Syria, after years of bloodshed, will we see a country that can finally be a beacon of different faiths, traditions and communities shaping an inclusive, free and peaceful future — as we continue to do everything to support? Or will we see fragmentation, along with the trampling of rights of minorities and women and girls?

In Iran, will we see concrete actions to ensure a clear renunciation of any nuclear weapons program … and contributions to a new regional security framework where the sovereignty of every state is respected — allowing for the full integration of Iran into the global economy? This is what we hope will become possible. Or will we see escalations with unpredictable consequences?

Throughout the region, we must deny extremists a veto over a peaceful future. A window has opened for a new era of institutional stability, with a State fully able to protect its citizens, and a system that would allow the tremendous potential of the Lebanese people to flourish. We will do everything to help keep that window open wide — a window that will allow both Lebanese and Israelis to live in security.

There is a world of pain beyond the Middle East. In Ukraine, the war is on the verge of its fourth year. We must spare no effort for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.

In Sudan, the warring parties have triggered widespread bloodshed, the world’s largest displacement crisis and famine. We are engaging all parties to protect civilians, de-escalate the conflict and find a path to peace.

In the Sahel, we are working with partners for a renewed dialogue to strengthen regional cooperation and to address common threats especially terror and violent extremism.

In Haiti, armed criminal gangs continue to run rampant. At the very least, we must ensure that the Multinational Security Support Mission receives sustainable and predictable funding.

Just as we must for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia.

From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Yemen and far beyond, we must keep working for peace. This is the raison d’etre of the United Nations.

And that includes advancing the Pact for the Future’s commitments: prioritizing conflict prevention, mediation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding; continuing to strengthen peacekeeping; the meaningful inclusion of women in political and peace processes; the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade; new strategies to end the use of chemical and biological weapons; vital efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space and advance discussions on the use of lethal autonomous weapons; and an updated understanding of the impact of today’s arms race on sustainable development, the full program coming from the Pact.

(Excerpts of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ address to the General Assembly on his Priorities for 2025 on 15 January 2025.)