Interview transcript
Secretary-General, welcome to this interview with UN News. In a couple of days, world leaders are going to assemble on this chamber. How would you describe the state of the world that’s the backdrop for this General Assembly?
Secretary-General: We are dealing with a worldwide disaster. Conflicts are multiplying within the context through which geopolitical divides don’t enable to successfully tackle them.
There is a way of impunity – each nation believes they’ll do no matter they need. On the opposite hand, we see that growing international locations are dealing with monumental difficulties. Many of them drowning in debt with out entry to concessional funding that they require to redress their economies. Inequality is rising.
On the opposite hand, local weather change is just not but below management. And we’ve a number of indicators that, it would in all probability be very troublesome to take care of our central goal, which is to maintain international warming under 1.5 levels.
And technological developments are largely with out guardrails. And, after all, they’ve an unlimited potential, however the dangers are there. And among the dangers could be witnessed at present: Supporting the polarization of societies; growing the divisions inside societies; hate speech is rising.
We completely want leaders to return right here and to show the tide…to return right here and to reaffirm multilateralism – that we can not resolve all these issues alone
So on this context, we completely want leaders to return right here and to show the tide. To come right here and perceive that worldwide cooperation is significant in a second like this. To come right here and do the negotiations and the mediations which might be essential to, not less than, create hope for peace in among the conditions we face.
To come right here and to make sturdy commitments in relation to the discount of emissions to deal with local weather change. To come right here and to just accept the necessity for the reforms of the worldwide monetary structure to have extra justice and extra equality in worldwide relations.
To come right here and to just accept some varieties which, after all, are comfortable however some types of governance of synthetic intelligence and new applied sciences that guarantee that human company is preserved and that they develop into a power for good.
And, primarily to return right here and to reaffirm multilateralism – that we can not resolve all these issues alone.
This is my hope. And we’ll do every thing potential to make this summit a hit and to ask the world leaders to imagine their obligations in a second of world disaster.
And certainly, there are going to be quite a few summits convened through the General Assembly round peace and safety. There goes to be a two-State answer convention and quite a few conferences on ending among the wars which were raging the world over. What do you hope these conferences will obtain?
Secretary-General: Well, to begin with, I imagine that there will probably be a transparent, clear demonstration that the overwhelming majority of the international locations on this planet acknowledge the proper of the Palestinian folks to self-determination; acknowledge that there have to be a Palestinian state and acknowledge it within the assembly we can have on Monday.
And, on the similar time, ship a really clear message that the carnage that’s taking place in Gaza has to finish, that we want a ceasefire instantly with the discharge of all hostages instantly too. And with efficient humanitarian support in Gaza that’s struggling the best degree of demise and destruction that I’ve seen since I’m Secretary-General.
On the opposite hand, to have a transparent, clear affirmation that there is no such thing as a different to the two-State answer – a one-State answer through which the Palestinian folks would haven’t any rights and that a lot of them can be kicked out of their land is one thing fully unacceptable within the twenty first century.
The solely approach to have hope for peace sooner or later and the one approach to struggle extremism on this planet, is to reaffirm the two-State answer and to not enable annexations
And so, the one approach to have hope for peace sooner or later and the one approach to struggle extremism on this planet, is to reaffirm the two-State answer and to not enable annexations; to not enable the continuation of this dramatic destruction in Gaza; to create the situations for the 2 peoples, the Jewish folks and the Palestinian folks; to know that they should dwell in peace and safety.
This can even be the venue for trying on the scenario round quite a few different conflicts, a few of them which were known as “forgotten”, just like the warfare in Sudan.
What do you hope may probably be achieved subsequent week, when world leaders come collectively and deal with a few of these “forgotten” conflicts.
Secretary-General: We have too many actors messing up in Sudan. And, that is an event, for specifically the large powers. The struggling of the Sudanese folks is horrible. So, I feel it’s time for the Security Council to have the ability to take – with the settlement of all the important thing powers – very powerful measures on Sudan, to make these Sudanese events perceive that what they’re doing is against the law in opposition to their very own folks.
Can you simply say one thing about simply warfare on the whole? What does it do to folks and what are the ripple results all over the world?
Secretary-General: Well, as divisions are excessive, and, as we’ve not the devices to ensure accountability – as we dwell in a world of impunity – it’s straightforward for international locations that see the examples of huge powers waging warfare, as within the case of Ukraine.
There is a stimulus for mid-sized international locations to attempt to resolve their ambitions or their issues via warfare – as a substitute of negotiation, as a substitute of compromise. And that is turning into a sample that must be strongly opposed by the worldwide neighborhood.
We would wish a way more united and efficient Security Council to make it occur.
And we would wish a way more united and efficient Security Council to make it occur. That’s why the reform of the Security Council is so essential.
You’ve seen the fallout of those wars. You have been High Commissioner for Refugees and also you’ve visited warfare zones and refugee camps and noticed what it means to must flee from wars. What is your message to all of these folks? We have 122 million forcibly displaced folks on this planet at present. How can this finish?
Secretary-General: My message for them is a message of solidarity. But a very powerful message is to the international locations on this planet which have obligations below worldwide regulation below worldwide refugee regulation, that their doorways have to be open, that refugees should see their rights revered, and that, after all, all should do every thing potential to reestablish peace of their lands, for them to have the ability to return residence.
But, with doorways closed and with conflicts that don’t finish, we see these refugees misplaced, with no rights and in a really dramatic scenario. And, to make issues worse, UNHCR that has a implausible function in supporting refugees everywhere in the world, is now dramatically underfunded.
So this can be a tragic scenario that requires a complete response for refugee rights to be revered and for refugees to be supported.
At the GA (General Assembly), you’re additionally going to be chairing a Climate Solution summit. What have you ever requested Member States to return to the desk with?
Secretary-General: This is a second through which each Member State should current its new local weather plan. And it’s important that these local weather plans are aligned with the target of 1.5 levels, which signifies that they bring about a dramatic discount of emissions.
And, on the similar time, that these nationally decided contributions, these local weather plans, cowl the entire of economic system, cowl all greenhouse gases and create the situations for the 1.5 diploma restrict to stay as a chance, as a result of the chance is that we’re on the verge of constructing it irreversible, the impossibility to maintain international warming contained at that degree.
It is crucial that [the national] local weather plans are aligned with the target of 1.5°C, which signifies that they bring about a dramatic discount of emissions
And we should do every thing now to keep away from that scenario of irreversibility that may result in a catastrophe of monumental proportions for folks all over the world, particularly in probably the most susceptible situations – Small Island Developing States, the African continent and different areas the place hurricanes, drought, floods, the melting of glaciers, every kind of disasters will make life inconceivable.
So that is the second to take drastic choices in decreasing emissions and governments should current plans consistent with that goal.
This has been, because you’ve been Secretary-General, a difficulty that you just’ve been simply hammering at, in any respect ranges, and also you visited all elements of the worldto witness the worst results of local weather change. Is this private to you?
Secretary-General: This is the defining menace of our instances. And so, that is private to all of us. And for me, it’s clear that that is the foremost take a look at in relation to the capability of the world to return collectively and to defeat what’s an enemy of humankind and of the planet.
Some folks additionally say that synthetic intelligence is certainly one of our greatest international threats. And, additionally on the General Assembly, there will probably be a worldwide dialogue on AI governance on the agenda. Why is it so essential to have such a dialogue right here on the United Nations, and how much final result do you hope for?
Secretary-General: Because we completely have to protect human company in synthetic intelligence to ensure that synthetic intelligence is a gigantic contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, to extra equality on this planet. And, to keep away from in any respect prices that synthetic intelligence deepens the divide between wealthy and poor on this planet.
We completely have to protect human company in synthetic intelligence to ensure that AI is a gigantic contribution to sustainable growth, to extra equality on this planet
And, on the similar time, that it’s used for functions that characterize a hazard for our societies – a hazard as a result of they are often weaponized. And I’ve been claiming the necessity to forbid autonomous weapons through which machines, algorithms can kill folks with out human company.
But additionally, a hazard as a result of it permits to amplify the mechanisms of hate speech, mechanisms of polarization of societies in relation to which the UN has introduced – within the Pact for the Future – a transparent algorithm with a view to guarantee that, in social media and in different platforms, synthetic intelligence and digital applied sciences on the whole, don’t develop into a menace to the social cohesion of societies and the mechanism of polarization that undermines democracy and undermines the potential of peace to prevail.
One of your signature points has been financing growth in assist of the SDGs. And the General Assembly will host a primary of its type summit, bringing collectively leaders of worldwide monetary establishments and Heads of State. Why is that this so essential?
Secretary-General: Because we want the reform of worldwide monetary establishments and it is dependent upon Member States to do it. Our worldwide monetary structure comes from the Second World War, and at present doesn’t characterize the world that exists.
We have seen the emergence of huge economies within the growing world. They have to have a voice and a presence, participation within the international establishments. The similar with continents like Africa or Latin America, which might be absent within the mechanisms of resolution.
At the identical time, we have to take quite a few measures to multiply the assets accessible for growing international locations. We know that official growth help is just not rising – quite the opposite, is being dramatically lowered. But there are a sure variety of issues that may be finished that may multiply the assets that exist.
For occasion, if we put $1 in a venture, it’s $1. If you set $1 within the capital of a multilateral growth financial institution, it’s $5, as a result of they’ll go to the market and acquire further assets. So we have to do quite a few reforms of the system.
First, to have justice in the best way the system works. And second, to multiply the restricted assets that we’ve accessible so as to have the ability to assist international locations achieve success in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals and in offering to their folks a response to their wants – particularly in schooling, in well being, in housing and in lots of different points which might be important for the well-being of populations.
We can even be marking 30 years for the reason that landmark Beijing Conference at a time of backsliding on girls’s rights. What will your message be to that assembly?
Gender equality, even gender parity are central to the aims of the United Nations – if there’s a push again, we have to push again in opposition to the push again
Secretary-General: Gender equality. I’d say even gender parity are central to the aims of the United Nations. If there’s a push again, we have to push again in opposition to the push again. And we have to reaffirm that the world can solely be truthful if the 2 halves of the world are on the similar degree and may work collectively to the good thing about us all.
On a private degree, do you ever really feel despair?
Secretary-General: Never. I often use a sentence of Jean Monnet which is: ‘I’m not optimistic nor pessimistic, I’m decided.’ I feel this can be a second through which we want willpower. Sometimes it seems like there is no such thing as a hope. We should construct that hope and we have to be decided, by no means giving up and combating and combating till our aims could be achieved.
The UN is in the midst of a monetary disaster which has been compounding over a few years, however which has lately resulted in large cuts. Some proposed right here within the Secretariat, however particularly the UN humanitarian organizations have confronted finances cuts.
And that is already having a devastating impact on the folks that the UN serves. What will you say to Member States subsequent week on why the UN wants their assist?
Secretary-General: Well, I’ll say that they have to, to begin with, adjust to their obligations. There are voluntary contributions that sadly have decreased with this new emphasis on protection, this new emphasis on rearmament of nations. So, you will need to protect these voluntary contributions.
But there are obligations. There are assessed contributions to the United Nations which might be important, for example, for peacekeeping. So, if these obligations usually are not met, we must do drastic cuts in peacekeeping, as we’ve finished drastic cuts in humanitarian support the world over, with horrible penalties within the lives of individuals.
Countries should do every thing potential to take care of their commitments to the SDGs and to mobilize assets for growth cooperation
So, international locations should do every thing potential to take care of their commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and to mobilize assets for growth cooperation and for humanitarian support, realizing how troublesome it’s. But above all, international locations should adjust to their obligations.
In March, you launched the UN80 Initiative, and this was to create a simpler group that, in your phrases, is extra agile, responsive and resilient and higher geared up to serve the folks whose lives rely upon us. That doesn’t sound like an 80 12 months previous group, however one that you just hope to resume. What would that UN seem like?
Secretary-General: Well, the UN at present is a constellation of organizations. If we’d construct the UN at present with all its companies, we are going to construct it in another way. Of course, we can not abruptly, contemplate that we are able to rebuild the UN from scratch. But there are lots of duplications. There are many areas the place there is no such thing as a efficient coordination. There are many areas the place there may be competitors, the place there must be collaboration.
And we have to do, on one hand, to guarantee that there is no such thing as a waste, to guarantee that there is no such thing as a duplication in the usage of assets, to guarantee that the organizations are extra slim and simpler, and to guarantee that they arrive collectively to scale back their prices.
For occasion, you have got humanitarian companies – they have to hold their core mandates – World Food Programme, UNICEF, UNHCR. But they’ll put in widespread their provide chains, their again workplaces, their premises, in order that there are big financial savings that may be made by successfully organizing the United Nations in a approach through which every thing is, I’d say, every thing is used to the good thing about the folks we take care of.
And, let’s be trustworthy, bureaucracies are all the time resistant to alter. That’s why we took some drastic measures forcing our completely different departments in headquarters and in addition asking the companies to do the identical, to be as slim and as efficient as potential and to work far more for people who we serve as a substitute of for ourselves.
You’ve usually spoken out on behalf of the world’s younger folks, and also you’ve additionally inspired them to become involved, together with right here on the General Assembly. And we’re going to have many younger folks represented right here subsequent week. What can be your message to them on how they’ll make a distinction in altering the world?
Secretary-General: I feel my message is for them to be extraordinarily energetic. They could be energetic in so some ways. They could be energetic in social media. They could be energetic in associations which might be concerned in key discussions in societies. They could be energetic in humanitarian support. They could be energetic within the political lifetime of their international locations.
[Young people] want to know that this world is theirs. It’s not the long run world that’s theirs – it’s this world that’s theirs
They want to know that this world is theirs. It’s not the long run world that’s theirs. It’s this world that’s theirs. And they know they should assume their citizenship and make their citizenship be a power for change, a power for a world through which justice, equality will prevail.
And lastly, there may be a number of indifference on this planet. Some of it’s fueled by simply overwhelm and the gloom and doom of the information and the social media. Why ought to folks care about what’s taking place in numerous elements of the world and the entire points that you just simply outlined?
Secretary-General: Because at present, the world is just one, and what occurs in any a part of the world will have an impact in our personal lives. Look on the demography and the actions of individuals – that is certainly one world. Our home is our world, and the issues wherever on this planet are our issues.
Mr. Secretary-General, thanks very a lot for this interview.
