UN Secretary-General Pledges Unwavering Commitment to Justice, Solidarity and A Sustainable Future

António Guterres urges nations to uphold the UN Charter, pursue peace with justice, and build unity in an age of division and uncertainty

In a world brimming with conflict, impunity, inequality, and unpredictability, complacency is not an option, Secretary-General António Guterres stressed in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday. “We cannot be bystanders to injustice, indifference, or impunity,” he said.

Reaffirming his unwavering commitment to justice, solidarity, and a sustainable future, the UN chief affirmed he would keep pushing “for the better world that we know is possible,” emphasising that we have the power to chart a different course, guided by the principles enshrined in the UN Charter: “The Charter gives us our compass. Our pursuit of peace with justice gives us our purpose. And our common humanity gives us the imperative to act.”

António Guterres told countries that three principles must be at the foundation of all actions by the international community:

“First, we must adhere to the UN Charter – fully and faithfully. Second, we must be relentless in our work for peace with justice – peace between nations and peace with nature. Third, our priority must be to build unity in an age of division.”

The Secretary-General described the UN as a “living promise — a promise that despite our differences, we will solve problems together.”

He acknowledged that today’s world is rapidly changing, often in unsettling ways, but also in ways that are inspiring. “Even in the rough seas of today, we can anchor our action in peace, dignity, and hope,” he said, adding: “The forces of division and inequality are powerful — but so too is our capacity for solidarity and justice.” At the start of his final year as Secretary-General, he offered a firm assurance to people everywhere:

“We will not give up.”