U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tells world leaders the concentration and shifting of power are polarizing international relations. In a farewell address to the UN General Assembly’s high-level gathering, he urges cooperation rather than fragmentation, framing the choice as whether the world continues toward rival blocs or coordinates to address shared risks.
Guterres points to multiple “existential threats,” including the climate crisis, rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, and intensifying inequalities. He says the global system is moving toward multipolarity and that power is increasingly transferred from governments to a small number of private corporations and individuals. He also warns that AI is shifting decision-making power from humans to machines.
Across outlets, the emphasis is on political direction and coordination: Guterres argues against “great fracture” thinking, in which the world splits into separate economic, technological and security systems. He also criticizes “might-makes-right” approaches and says military strength alone cannot deliver long-term security, urging states to recognize limits and prioritize broader peacebuilding measures.
