As world leaders arrive at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for renewed international unity and cooperation in addressing the challenges confronting the world.
In a message ahead of the high-level General Debate, Mr. Guterres urged leaders to come together around the shared values of peace, dignity, justice and humanity.
“My message to them is clear: Come together for peace, for dignity, for justice and for humanity.”
The Secretary-General stressed that international cooperation remains essential to addressing global challenges and building a more peaceful and sustainable world.
He said countries must resist divisions and work collectively to strengthen multilateral cooperation, stressing that the international community should “never give up” on the effort to build a better world.
The call comes as heads of state and government, senior officials and representatives of countries from across the globe converge on New York for the annual UN gathering.
This year’s General Assembly is being held under the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”
The theme places emphasis on rebuilding confidence in multilateral institutions while responding to major global transformations and challenges.
The General Debate will provide world leaders with a platform to outline their countries’ priorities and positions on issues including international peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, human rights and global cooperation.
For the United Nations, the gathering also presents an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of multilateralism at a time of significant geopolitical and economic challenges.
The Secretary-General’s message is therefore a call for collective action: that despite differences among nations, cooperation remains central to advancing peace, justice, dignity and human progress.
