The head of the United Nations warned the gathered leaders of nations Tuesday that impunity, inequality and uncertainty are driving modern civilization toward “a powder keg that risks engulfing the world” — the latest in an increasing number of clarion calls from Antonio Guterres in recent years that the global situation is becoming intolerable and unsustainable.
“We can’t go on like this,” the secretary-general said in an alarming state-of-the-world address as he opened the annual high-level gathering of the U.N.’s 193 member nations.
He said the world is in “an era of epic transformation” facing challenges never seen before, with geopolitical divisions deepening, the planet heating and wars raging in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere with no clue how they will end.
“We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world,” Guterres told presidents, prime ministers and ministers in the vast General Assembly hall.
But he stopped short of saying hope was gone. “The challenges we face,” he said, “are solvable.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden reflected on the motivation behind his decision to step away from politics, sending a message to global leaders gathered together at a time of increasing division and geopolitical instability.
“My fellow leaders, let’s never forget, some things are more important than staying in power,” Biden said at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York Tuesday.
“It’s your people that matter the most,” he said in his final address to the General Assembly.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looked on as Biden stressed the importance of multilateralism, a theme that has been common to Trudeau’s speeches in recent years as well.
When Biden came to office nearly four years ago, he pledged to restore American leadership on the world stage. He spoke about his vision for how the world comes together to solve problems.
But, near the end of his speech, Biden urged leaders to remember who they serve.
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“Never forget we are here to serve the people, not the other way around,” he said.
Biden removed himself from the U.S. presidential race in July amid growing concern over his mental acuity and ability to win re-election following a disastrous debate with former Republican president Donald Trump.
Vice-President Kamala Harris has since ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket ahead of the razor-thin race to the White House in November.
Trump has often campaigned on America taking a step back from its role on the global stage, but Biden’s speech to the yearly gathering of world leaders at the UN said that’s the wrong approach.
On his final day at the UN Tuesday, Trudeau is scheduled to attend high-level meetings about innovating for a sustainable future and fighting extremism. He is also meeting privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trudeau is also set to have an armchair discussion with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley ahead of a meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Tuesday.
He will return to Canadian soil Wednesday as his government faces its first test in the House of Commons since the NDP ended its supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberals. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre introduced a motion of non-confidence in the government in the House of Commons Tuesday morning.
MPs can vote remotely but they must be in Canada to do so, requiring Trudeau to be back in Canada in time for the vote.
The New Democrats and Bloc Québécois have both indicated plans to vote against the Conservative motion, which would prevent Trudeau’s government from falling.
Trudeau addressed the confidence vote during an interview on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Monday night. He admitted there’s frustration and people are having trouble paying for groceries, rent or gas.
“People are sometimes looking at change but the reality is I deeply believe in continuing to fight climate change and continuing to invest in people, continuing to be there to support people. And I’m going to keep fighting,” he told Colbert on the CBS program.
During Biden’s wide-ranging address, the president urged countries to continue their support for Ukraine to defend against Russian aggression.
“We cannot grow weary. We cannot look away,” Biden said.
Zelenskyy is set to address a special meeting of the UN Security Council Tuesday about Russia’s ongoing invasion of his country. Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak again to the General Assembly the next morning.
Russia has a permanent seat on the Security Council and has been resoundingly criticized over its aggression in Ukraine being a violation of the UN Charter.
Last year Zelenskyy took centre stage at the UN, but this year the conflict in the Middle East also weighs heavy at the annual gathering.
“Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” Biden said.
Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is scheduled to address world leaders on Tuesday afternoon. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to speak Thursday.
The prime minister arrived in New York on Sunday and delivered remarks to the Summit of the Future, telling leaders they can choose to stick their heads in the sand or come together to confront global challenges.
Trudeau told leaders to come together and adopt the “Pact of the Future,” a 42-page blueprint to address a wide range of 21st-century global challenges.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will deliver Canada’s national statement later during the UN General Assembly. The speech will emphasize “Canada’s commitment to promoting multilateral co-operation, human rights, democracy and the rule of law,” a news release from her office said.
—With files from the Associated Press
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