NEW YORK (WAM)
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said that peace is under threat and war is on the march.
His remarks came at the Peace Bell ceremony, in New York on Saturday where he said: "From the Middle East to Sudan, Ukraine and beyond, we see bullets and bombs maim and kill, bodies piled high, populations traumatised, and buildings reduced to rubble.
“Meanwhile, the foundations of a peaceful world are fracturing. Geo-political divisions are widening, inequalities are growing, disinformation is fanning the flames of hate, new technologies are being weaponized with no guardrails and the climate crisis is fuelling instability, depleting resources and forcing people from their homes.”
He noted that international institutions must be better positioned to respond, and "we have a chance for change. Later this month, at the Summit of the Future, we can begin the process of reform and revitalisation:
“By adapting multilateral institutions to today’s reality, instead of the reality of the Second World War. By advancing “A New Agenda for Peace”. By revitalising the Sustainable Development Goals. By protecting human rights. By tackling the point where climate and security meet. By agreeing guardrails on new technologies in conflict. By defending and advancing gender equality. By combating racism and discrimination.”