UNSG calls for global unity to tackle ‘existential’ challenges at BRICS summit

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

UNITED NATIONS, 25th Aug. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday underscored the urgent need for unity and justice to tackle the challenges, such as the climate crisis to economic disparities and conflicts with global implications.

Mr. Guterres was addressing the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South commended the Rainbow Nation’s “extraordinary path to unity through action and justice.”

He said “That’s what our world needs: unity for action and unity for justice; we are confronting existential challenges.”

SG brought attention to worsening impacts of climate change and rising poverty, hunger and inequalities.

The BRICS a bloc emerging economies comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa joined in 2010, represents over 40 per cent of the world’s population, and all five States are members of the wider G20 bloc.

Mr. Guterres highlighted the risks posed by emerging technologies without a comprehensive global framework, while also shedding light on the geopolitical divides and conflicts, and the impacts of ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, he stated.

He also outlined the global shift towards a multipolar world, cautioned that multipolarity alone cannot ensure a peaceful and just status quo.

Guterres called for robust and effective multilateral institutions to support this shift.

He highlighted the lessons from the early 20th century when Europe’s multipolarity without strong multilateral mechanisms contributed to the start of the First World War.

Guterres said “As the global community moves towards multipolarity, we desperately need – and I have been vigorously advocating for – a strengthened and reformed multilateral architecture based on the UN Charter and international law,”.

He pointed out that today’s global governance structures were established iafter the WWII excluding many African countries still under colonial rule.

Guterres stressed the necessity for these institutions to reflect contemporary power dynamics and economic realities.

He warned that without such reforms, fragmentation becomes inevitable.

“We cannot afford a world with a divided global economy and financial system; with diverging strategies on technology including artificial intelligence; and with conflicting security frameworks,” he said.

Mr. Guterres noted that low-income countries, particularly in Africa, would bear the brunt of the impact of such a fracture.

“I have come to Johannesburg with a simple message: in a fracturing world overwhelmed by crises, there is simply no alternative to cooperation,” he said.

He addressed Africa’s unique challenges, by saying that as an historic victim of slavery and colonialism, the continent continues to confront “grave injustices”, including economic disparities and rapid climate change.

He called to redesigned global financial architecture and stepped-up climate action, highlighted his Climate Solidarity Pact and Acceleration Agenda.

Guterres stressed that “Developed countries must also finally keep their promises to developing countries: by meeting the $100 billion goal, doubling adaptation finance, replenishing the Green Climate Fund, and operationalizing the loss and damage fund this year.”

He concluded with a call for collective action, stressing that humanity will not be able to solve its common problems in a fragmented way.

“Together, let us work to advance the power of universal action, the imperative for justice, and the promise of a better future,” he added.