UN chief Guterres warns against 'new Cold War'

Summary

The Secretary-General addresses the UN General Assembly, highlighting the convergence of global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical tensions. He calls for international solidarity, a global ceasefire, and a new social contract to build a sustainable, inclusive future. Emphasizing the need for a fair globalization, he advocates for a new global pact that ensures equitable distribution of power, wealth, and opportunities.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the global landscape, highlighting the interconnectedness of our world and the need for a unified response.
• 🏹 The 'four horsemen' of global threats—geostrategic tensions, climate crisis, global mistrust, and the dark side of the digital world—have been joined by a fifth, COVID-19, exacerbating each of these issues.
• 📉 The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in our society, leading to rising poverty, declining human development indicators, and a setback in achieving sustainable development goals.
• 🌿 There is an urgent call for a global ceasefire to focus on overcoming the pandemic and to prevent further conflict from complicating an already dire situation.
• 👥 The Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of solidarity, humility, and unity in the face of the pandemic, as individualistic approaches have proven ineffective.
• 🛑 Populism and nationalism have been identified as failures in managing the crisis, with a disconnect between leadership and power being a significant issue.
• 🌱 A new social contract is needed that focuses on social cohesion, universal health coverage, and access to education and technology for all, ensuring a more inclusive society.
• 💡 The recovery from the pandemic must be used as an opportunity to build a better, more sustainable world, with a focus on renewable energy and a transition to a green economy.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and there is a need to address gender inequality and increase efforts to combat violence against women and girls.
• 🌍 The call for a 'new global pact' suggests the need for a fairer globalization that respects human rights, nature, and future generations, with a focus on sustainable development.
• 🔄 The multilateral system must be modernized and inclusive, capable of innovation and addressing global challenges in a coordinated manner.

Q & A

What significant changes have the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the annual meeting of the General Assembly?

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the annual meeting of the General Assembly beyond recognition, making it more important than ever due to the unprecedented global challenges it presents.

What were the 'four horsemen' identified by the speaker in January that pose threats to our common future?

The 'four horsemen' identified were the highest global geostrategic tensions in years, an existential climate crisis, deep and growing global mistrust, and the dark side of the digital world.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the existing threats?

The pandemic has joined the four horsemen, intensifying their impact, causing a grim tally of loss and societal challenges, and exposing the world's fragilities such as rising inequalities and climate catastrophe.

What are the consequences of the pandemic on poverty and human development indicators?

For the first time in 30 years, poverty is rising, and human development indicators are declining due to the pandemic's impact on the most vulnerable and the wiping away of decades of progress.

What is the speaker's call to action regarding the global ceasefire?

The speaker calls for a new push by the international community to make a global ceasefire a reality by the end of the year, emphasizing that there is only one winner in conflict during a pandemic: the virus itself.

What is the significance of the 100-day period mentioned by the speaker?

The 100-day period signifies a critical time frame for the international community to work towards achieving a global ceasefire and to prevent further conflict and suffering during the pandemic.

What are the key areas of concern regarding the risk of a new cold war?

The risk of a new cold war is centered around the potential for the two largest economies to split the globe into a great fracture, each with its own trade, financial rules, and technological capacities, leading to a dangerous technological and economic divide.

What is the United Nations' comprehensive response to the pandemic?

The United Nations' response includes supporting governments, particularly in the developing world, to save lives and contain the virus spread, providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies, extending assistance to vulnerable populations, and mobilizing the UN system in development and emergency mode.

What is the importance of a 'new social contract' in the context of the pandemic's impact on society?

A new social contract is crucial for building sustainable and inclusive societies, ensuring social cohesion, investing in social protection, and providing access to education and digital technologies for everyone, thereby addressing the social and economic consequences of the pandemic.

What are the six measures the speaker suggests for countries to include in their efforts to save, rebuild, and relaunch their economies?

The measures include making societies more resilient, creating green jobs and lasting growth, safeguarding industries in line with the Paris Agreement, ending subsidies to fossil fuels, considering climate change in financial and political decisions, and ensuring no one is left behind in the recovery process.

What is the vision for the multilateral system of the 21st century according to the speaker?

The vision for the 21st-century multilateral system is one that is capable of constant innovation, inclusive, expands participation broadly, and integrates sustainable development principles in all decision-making processes to ensure a green, sustainable, and equitable economy.