Finding our bearings in this disorienting world (1)

We are a world brimming with conflict, impunity, inequality, and unpredictability. A world marked by self-defeating geopolitical divides … brazen violations of international law … and wholesale cuts in development and humanitarian aid. These forces and more are shaking the foundations of global cooperation and testing the resilience of multilateralism itself. That is the paradox of our era: at a time when we need international cooperation the most, we seem to be the least inclined to use it and invest in it. Some seek to put international cooperation on deathwatch.

I can assure you: we will not give up. And we are totally committed in the cause of peace in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and far beyond — and tireless in delivering life-saving aid to those so desperate for support. And let’s recognize that even in this turbulence, we have succeeded in claiming space for the United Nations where it was not a given.

We have stepped forward to help shape the global conversation on artificial intelligence — insisting that these powerful forces serve humanity and uphold human dignity. We have been on the frontlines of efforts to secure fair and sustainable financing for development, pushing for reforms and new mechanisms to leave no country behind. We have been outspoken on the urgent need for climate action, demanding ambition and working to rally governments, businesses and civil society. Everywhere, we have sought to spotlight the needs of the most vulnerable people and countries. And we will keep pushing in all these areas and more this year.

In the next few weeks alone, we will:

• Launch the Independent Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence to provide impartial, evidence-based assessments of AI’s opportunities, risks and impacts;

• Put forward the recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP to offer new ways to measure progress and well-being and better reflect what truly matters for people and planet;

• Begin a series of monthly meetings with you on the UN80 Initiative to foster our ongoing dialogue and cooperation to best equip the UN for the future;

• Present initial assessments on the potential mergers of UNDP (United Nations Development Program) with UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) as well as UN Women with UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) to enhance efficiency and coherence in our development work;

• And advance on the peace operations review to make them more effective, responsive, and fit for today’s complex challenges.

The UN80 Initiative is about building a UN system that delivers more effectively, more coherently, and with greater impact, amid the reality of shrinking resources and rising needs. Yes, reform is about resources — and using those resources effectively and efficiently. Budgets matter — but only if every Member State pays its contributions in full and on time.

Today’s situation is totally unsustainable. Either all countries, without exception, honor their financial obligations under the Charter — which no longer seems to be the case. Or Member States must overhaul our financial rules to prevent a budget breakdown. I will be writing to you in more detail on this matter.

But reform must be far more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Reform must be about institutions that reflect today’s world. 1945 problem-solving will not solve 2026 problems. If structures do not reflect our times, our world, our realities — they will lose legitimacy.

Consider the facts:

Every day, the share of global GDP held by developed economies shrinks, bit by bit. Every day, emerging economies grow — in size, in strength, in influence. Every day, South-South trade pulls further ahead of North-North trade.

Our structures must reflect this changing world. That is why reforming international financial and trade institutions is not just important — it is essential.

As we push forward on reforms, our larger mission must be finding our bearings in this disorienting world. Let me boil it down to three principles that must be at the foundation of all our actions — not just for this year, but for our times.

First, we must adhere to the UN Charter — fully and faithfully. No ifs … no ands … no buts. The Charter is a compact which binds us all. It is not an à la carte menu, it is prix fixe.

The Charter is the foundation of international relations — the bedrock of peace, sustainable development, and human rights. I am honored to serve as custodian of the Charter. But each one of you has signed up to be a custodian of the Charter, too. When leaders run roughshod over international law — when they pick and choose which rules to follow — they are not only undermining global order, they are setting a perilous precedent.

And let’s be clear:

The erosion of international law is not happening in the shadows. It is unfolding before the eyes of the world, on our screens, live in 4K. People everywhere are witnessing, in real time, the consequences of impunity — the illegal use and threat of force; attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers and UN personnel; unconstitutional changes of government; the trampling of human rights; the silencing of dissent; the plundering of resources.

And the dangers do not stop with States or warring parties. They are being amplified by bottomless greed and inequality. The top one percent holds 43 percent of global financial assets. And last year alone, the richest 500 individuals added $2.2 trillion to their fortunes. Increasingly, we see a world where the ultra-wealthiest and the companies they control are calling the shots like never before — wielding outsized influence over economies, information, and even the rules that govern us all. When a handful of individuals can bend global narratives, sway elections, or dictate the terms of public debate, we are not just facing inequality — we are facing the corruption of institutions and our shared values.

Look no further than artificial intelligence — and the algorithms shaping our lives. These are too consequential to be controlled only by a few companies, or optimized only to monetize attention and outrage. For instance, how do we protect our children from the tyranny of the algorithm?

We must ensure humanity steers technology, not the other way around. We need to keep working to build guardrails, accountability, shared standards, and the capacity to bridge the AI divide.

The concentration of power and wealth in so few hands is morally indefensible. More than that, it is a clear and present danger to the Charter and the promise of equal rights and dignity for all. That leads to the second principle. We must be relentless in our work for peace with justice — peace between nations and peace with nature.

(Excerpts of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ remarks to the General Assembly on Priorities for 2026 in New York on 15 January 2026.)