Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council open debate on multilateralism, in New York today:
Strengthening multilateralism to address today’s global challenges has been my highest priority since assuming office as Secretary-General. My report on Our Common Agenda, and the process it has initiated, are aimed above all at reinvigorating multilateralism to deal with today’s interconnected threats.
Even during the darkest periods of the cold war, collective decision-making and continuous dialogue in the Security Council maintained a functioning, if imperfect, system of collective security.
The international system created after the Second World War succeeded in preventing a military conflict between the major Powers. States armed with nuclear weapons cooperated to cut their numbers, prevent proliferation and avert a nuclear catastrophe. Peacemaking and peacekeeping by the United Nations helped to end conflicts, saving millions of lives.
Notwithstanding this important progress, we are still grappling with many of the same challenges we have faced for 76 years: inter-State wars; limits to our peacekeeping ability; terrorism; and a divided collective security system.
And at the same time, conflict has evolved dramatically. We have seen fundamental changes in how it is fought, by whom and where. Lethal weapons are cheaper and more sophisticated than ever. Humankind has the capacity to annihilate itself entirely. The climate crisis is now contributing to conflict in a host of ways.
The negative implications of digital technology are proliferating. Misinformation and hate speech poison democratic debate and fuel social instability. Many elements of modern life are weaponized: cyberspace, supply chains, migration, information, trade and financial services, and investments. Frameworks for global cooperation have not kept pace with this evolution. Issues quickly become zero-sum and polarizing. Our toolbox, norms and approaches need upgrading.
The UN75 Declaration asked me to make concrete recommendations on a broad range of threats – on land and at sea; in space and cyberspace. In response, as part of my report on Our Common Agenda, I proposed a New Agenda for Peace. I hope to submit this to Member States in 2023.
