The United Nations Secretary-General said on Thursday that the planet is experiencing a “real risk of fragmentation,” with crises in the world’s economic and financial systems and a security environment marked by conflict and war.
“There is a real risk of fragmentation – of a major rift in the world’s economic and financial systems, with diverging technology and artificial intelligence strategies and conflicting security frameworks”said António Guterres at a press conference.
“I congratulate ASEAN member states for their crucial role in building bridges of understanding. We need this more than ever in an increasingly multipolar world that calls for strong multilateral institutions – based on equality, solidarity and universality.”folded.
Guterres was speaking in Jakarta ahead of the opening of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–United Nations Summit, one of the meetings to coincide with the 43rd. ASEAN Summit, which will mark the end of Indonesia’s rotating presidency and its handover to Laos.
A meeting, he said, will analyze a range of issues from the UN’s cooperation with ASEAN to “regional concerns and global challenges” and where Guterres plans to “resolutely defend Indonesia and ASEAN against the climate crisis, sustainable development , non-proliferation and disarmament”.
“Unity in diversity is not just Indonesia’s national motto. It is the key to forging a better future for all of us”he told reporters.
The UN Secretary-General referred to the current global crises that have “brought the planet to breaking point” and to themes such as the worsening of the “climate emergency” and the increase in wars and conflicts, poverty, inequality and “geopolitical tensions” . “.
Issues that require ‘cooperation on all fronts’ and where ASEAN can play a constructive role, as is the case with “de-escalate tensions from the South China Sea to the Korean Peninsula, prioritizing dialogue and promoting respect for international law”Guterres said.
He expressed his “deep concern about the deteriorating political, humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar” (formerly Burma) and welcomed ASEAN’s efforts, through the “five-point consensus”, to seek a solution to the crisis.
“I reiterate my urgent appeal to the military authorities of Myanmar to listen to the aspirations of their people, release all political prisoners and open the door to a return to democratic rule.”he claimed.
António Guterres also referred to the global economic situation, as he believed it to be necessary “reshape the global financial architecture, making it truly representative of current economic and political realities, and more responsive to the needs of developing economies”.
“We need to establish an effective debt restructuring mechanism to support payment suspensions, longer loan terms and lower interest rates”he said, asking for $100 billion (93.3 billion euros) to be made available through multilateral development banks.
Guterres stressed the need for “more climate cooperation,” given increasing signs of the profound impact of climate change that there are immediate joint solutions.
“We can still avoid the worst climate chaos – but time is running out. We have no time to lose.”he said, referring to his proposal for a climate solidarity pact, “in which all major emitters step up efforts to reduce emissions and richer countries mobilize financial and technical resources to support emerging economies”.
“More ambition is needed at all levels, along with much more support and resources”he claimed.
This Thursday, Guterres will hold a short meeting with Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of East Timor, who has observer status with ASEAN.
Source: DN
