UN chief urges AI restrictions and end of wars in final General Assembly speech

United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres used his final address to the General Assembly on 22 September to call on world leaders to adopt comprehensive safeguards for artificial intelligence, to bring an end to ongoing wars, and to accelerate action on climate change. He urged the creation of global oversight mechanisms to manage the risks posed by AI, emphasizing that the technology’s rapid development requires coordinated international regulation.

In the same speech, Guterres highlighted the need for a renewed commitment to a two‑state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, and he called on “polluters must pay” for the damage caused by climate change. He also pressed for reforms of United Nations institutions, which he described as struggling to keep pace with mounting global challenges, including funding shortfalls and the tendency of major powers to bypass the organization.

The address came as the UN Security Council, composed of 15 members, prepares to host a briefing for AI leaders on the powerful technology. Guterres’ appeal for AI governance coincided with the Council’s efforts to engage experts and policymakers in discussions about the ethical and security implications of artificial intelligence.

Guterres, whose second five‑year term as secretary‑general began in 2021 and ends on 31 December, reflected on the “gridlock” within the United Nations as nearly 130 world leaders gathered in New York for the assembly. He noted that several heads of state, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders from South Africa, India and Germany, were absent from the diplomatic meeting.

Delegates responded with sustained applause to Guterres’ remarks on the two‑state solution, climate accountability and institutional reform. The applause underscored broad support among member states for the priorities he outlined, even as the UN faces challenges in securing adequate funding and maintaining relevance in a shifting geopolitical landscape.

The speech capped a decade‑long tenure in which Guterres sought to position the United Nations as a mediator in conflicts and a forum for governing emerging technologies, while contending with the increasing tendency of powerful nations to act outside the UN framework. His final address set out a roadmap for the organization’s future work on AI, peace, climate and institutional renewal.