U.N. Leader Uses Final Speech to Issue Stark Warning

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1. 1h ago

   UN Chief Warns of Global Polarization in Final Assembly Address

   Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is worsening as the UN Security Council remains paralyzed. In his final General Assembly address, Guterres stated that superpowers are unable to solve global problems and urged leaders to cooperate to overcome polarization. He called for curbs on artificial intelligence and an end to ongoing wars, asserting that the power of law must prevail over the law of power. Guterres described the current state of global divisions by stating that cracks have become canyons.

   Why it matters

   The address occurs as world leaders gather to face climate shocks, runaway AI, and systemic division. This final speech marks a transition in UN leadership amid widening global fault lines. The paralysis of the Security Council limits the organization's ability to mediate international conflicts.

   What is confirmed

   • Secretary-General Guterres stated that the state of the world is getting worse because the UN Security Council is paralyzed.
   • Guterres asserted in his final General Assembly address that superpowers cannot solve the world's problems.
   • The UN chief urged leaders to cooperate and seek curbs on AI and an end to wars.
   • Guterres stated that cracks have become canyons as the world faces four tests of power.
   • The Secretary-General urged that the power of law must prevail over the law of power.

   What to watch next

   • Responses from superpower nations to the call for cooperation
   • Specific legislative proposals for AI curbs at the UN
   • The appointment of the next UN Secretary-General
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. www.dailymail.com — Andy Burnham: Latest news, breaking stories and comment
   2. AP News — World leaders meet at UN as their planet grapples with war, division, runaway AI and climate shocks
   3. Al Jazeera — State of world getting worse as UN Security Council paralysed: Guterres
   4. theguardian.com — Superpowers cannot solve world’s problems, UN chief says in final general assembly address
   5. The New York Times — U.N. Leader Uses Final Speech to Issue Stark Warning
   6. RTE.ie — UN chief seeks AI curbs, end to wars in assembly address
   7. UN News — Guterres: ‘Cracks have become canyons’ as world faces four tests of power
   8. AP News — UN chief says power has polarized the world and urges leaders to cooperate
   9. gadebate.un.org — Secretary-General of the United Nations
   10. The Guardian — Middle East crisis live: Trump says Iran will make a deal after US midterms
   11. UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases — Amid Widening Global Fault Lines, Power of Law Must Prevail over Law of Power, Secretary-General Urges, as General Assembly Kicks Off High-level Debate
   12. inews.co.uk — Hidden pensions crisis as third of under-60s could retire on less than £13,900 a year
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