Humanity faces perils from escalating climate crisis and unregulated advancement of Artificial Intelligence, warns Guterres.
In the heart of the Swiss Alps, the World Economic Forum in Davos played host to a series of thought-provoking speeches, none more so than that of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres, in his address, highlighted his concerns and proposals for several major global issues, demonstrating a clear and strong stance on clean energy, artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions, and the role of the United Nations.
Guterres advocated forcefully for accelerating the transition to clean and renewable energy. In his 2025 climate strategy speech titled “Moment of Opportunity,” he emphasized the economic case for a just and inclusive energy transition, urging countries to remove barriers and speed up climate action to meet global goals. He highlighted the growing renewable energy capacity, especially in developing countries, as a positive development but stressed that much more progress is urgently needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets and broader sustainable development goals.
Guterres also expressed concerns about the risks of unregulated artificial intelligence. At Davos 2025, he warned that AI is one of two existential dangers facing humanity alongside climate change, calling for stronger multilateral collaboration and regulation to manage AI's impact responsibly.
In the realm of geopolitical tensions, while the search results do not provide explicit recent statements by Guterres on Middle East geopolitical tensions, they note that under his leadership, the United Nations remains a “strong, resolute, and unwavering voice for peace in a world” facing multiple conflicts. This implies his committed role in peacekeeping and conflict resolution through the UN framework.
Guterres views the UN as an essential platform for global coordination and leadership, particularly in addressing climate change, sustainable development, peace, and security. He underscores the UN’s responsibility to drive multilateralism and guide international cooperation on critical challenges such as climate action, technological risks, poverty eradication, and peacebuilding.
Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, spoke about the role of Europe in the global context, focusing on aspects of competitiveness. Next week, Brussels will present the "Competitiveness Compass," a roadmap to reduce the innovation gap, accelerate decarbonization, increase productivity, simplify regulations, and stop the brain drain.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian President, emphasized the need for Europe to consolidate itself as a strong global actor due to the threat from Russia. He suggested building "together our air defense systems, such as ballistic and cruise missiles," as a means to strengthen Europe’s defense.
Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President and incoming G20 President, called for a new deal that balances growth and energy transition. He proposed fair management of the extraction of critical mineral resources and the decarbonization of economies as measures to achieve these goals. Ramaphosa also highlighted the need for investment and trade to offer more development opportunities to the least developed countries.
Guterres warned about the risk of Tel Aviv's desire for annexation of the West Bank and the need for Iran to renounce the nuclear weapon. He also expressed concerns about AI, particularly employment, inequalities, and risks from its use in war scenarios. Guterres mentioned the need to avoid fragmentation in Syria and for the new rulers to make promises about an inclusive and tolerant government a reality.
In a surprising statement, Guterres expressed concerns about the current composition of the UN Security Council, specifically the presence of three European permanent members. He mentioned the need for a win-win solution between Israel and Palestine, maintaining the ceasefire in the Strip, stabilizing peace, and recognizing the possibility of the two-state solution.
Guterres, however, expressed optimism about the results of science and the awareness of new generations about future challenges. He emphasized the importance of investing in clean and renewable energies, recognizing the contribution of Donald Trump's diplomacy in the Gaza situation, and stressing the importance of ensuring the full respect of the rights and freedoms of all people, leaving no one behind.
- In his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres advocated for the acceleration of the transition to clean and renewable energy, with a strong emphasis on the economic case for a just and inclusive energy transition.
- Guterres also voiced concerns about the risks of unregulated artificial intelligence and called for stronger multilateral collaboration and regulation to manage its impact responsibly.
- Emphasizing the UN's role in global coordination, Guterres underscored its responsibility to drive multilateralism and guide international cooperation on critical challenges, such as climate action, technological risks, and peacebuilding.
