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Guterres Calls for United Nations Reform in 80th Assembly Opening

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General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

UN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the Climate Summit 2025, a high-level special event on Climate Action. September 24, 2025. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Manuel Elías.
“The science demands action. The law commands it. The economics compel it. And people are calling for it. I look forward to hearing how you will respond – and the UN stands ready to help you to deliver,” said the Secretary-General.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India, addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s eightieth session. September 27, 2025. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.
A view of foggy New York City on the third day of the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s eightieth session. September 25, 2025. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Laura Jarriel.
A view of flags and the Secretariat building at UN Headquarters in the morning of the fifth day of the 80th General Assembly Debate. September 27, 2025. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.
Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s eightieth session. September 23, 2025. New York. United States of America. Credit: UN Photo/Laura Jarriel.
Annalena Baerbock, President of the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly, addresses the opening of the general debate of the General Assembly’s eightieth session. The theme for the general discussion of the eightieth session of the General Assembly is “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights”. September 23, 2025. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.

United Nations, New York, September 28, 2025 — In his opening remarks for the general debate of the eightieth session of the General Assembly, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the establishment of the Organization was a deliberate choice for cooperation instead of chaos, for law over lawlessness, and for peace over conflict. He warned that the world has now “entered an age of reckless disruption and relentless human suffering.” Guterres urged world leaders to choose the future: “Will it be a world of raw power, or a world governed by laws? A world driven by self-interest, or a world in which nations unite?”

In addressing the influence of technology, he stated, “Technology must be our servant—never our master.” He welcomed the Assembly’s decision to establish an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and to hold an annual Global Dialogue on AI Governance. However, he warned against the unregulated use of artificial intelligence (AI), asserting, “No company should be above the law. No machine should determine who lives or dies.”

To achieve these objectives, Mr. Guterres emphasized that the international community must commit to strengthening the United Nations for the twenty-first century.

Source: United Nations, New York