Guterres urges countries to stand together as UN General Assembly closes 80th session

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all countries on Tuesday to stand, work and find solutions together as the UN General Assembly closed its 80th session amid mounting global crises.

“Eighty-one years after the founding of this organization, our founding principles are needed more than ever,” he said. “In these tumultuous times, all countries need to stand together, work together, and find solutions together.”

Guterres said the session unfolded against a backdrop of “profound challenge for humanity,” citing destruction, death and displacement caused by conflicts, growing inequalities and injustices, hunger and poverty, record-breaking heat and the risks and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

He also pointed to the financing gap hindering progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The United Nations was created precisely for moments like this,” said Guterres, stressing that diplomacy, debate and dialogue remained essential tools for developing solutions to global challenges.

He praised outgoing General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock for her leadership during the session, particularly her efforts to defend the UN Charter and its three pillars of peace and security, human rights and development.

“All member states have an obligation to ensure that the force of law prevails over the law of force,” hr said, adding that peaceful means must be used to settle disputes and that all states, large and small, must act in accordance with justice and international law.

Guterres said he looked forward to working with incoming General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh as the organization continued to seek solutions through solidarity.

Baerbock, delivering her final remarks as president of the 80th session, said the UN remained indispensable despite its shortcomings, noting that millions of people are benefiting from UN agencies, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance around the world.

She said the session had demonstrated that member states could resist polarization and make progress despite deep geopolitical divisions.

Rahman, taking office as president of the 81st session, pledged to truthfully perform his duties and exercise his functions with loyalty, discretion and conscience, guided solely by the interests of the United Nations.