Press conference by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
"Dear members of the media, This is the final press conference of those done before the opening of the High-Level week of the General Assembly. So allow me to begin with a word of gratitude. Thank you for all you do to share the work of the UN with the world – and for holding us all to account. For me, this is not a moment to look back. It is a time to look ahead. World leaders will be gathering at the United Nations in an era of deep uncertainty. At the same time, power is shifting. The world is changing. And our institutions must change with it. But updating our structures can never mean abandoning our principles. It must mean applying those principles with even greater determination. The United Nations is not just a platform, it is a promise. So my message to leaders comes down to this: Keep your promises. Live up to the UN Charter. Be true to the ideals you pledged to uphold. Defend international law. Protect human rights. Invest in sustainable and inclusive development. And push for peace. Now more than ever. At this crucial moment in the Middle East, de-escalation must be priority one, priority two and priority three. All parties must cease any actions that harm civilians and ensure that humanitarian operations can proceed safely and without obstruction. Navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab must be fully restored and respected by all, in accordance with international law. The only path forward is de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue. I will continue to press this message in my ongoing contacts with leaders. In the context of upheaval across the Middle East, we must never forget the dramatic suffering of the Palestinian people – both in Gaza and the West Bank. The peace plan for Gaza must be fully implemented with unrestricted humanitarian aid. And the creeping annexation of the West Bank must stop. There will be no peace in the Middle East without realizing the Two-State solution. At the same time, we are well into the fifth year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine – with immense civilian suffering, cascading global consequences, and no end in sight. It is time for an immediate ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace – in line with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions. Dear ladies and gentlemen of the media, As we look to threats around the world, let me say a final word about rising concerns regarding the advance of artificial intelligence. AI has enormous potential – to accelerate sustainable development, enhance learning, strengthen health systems, boost climate resilience, and so much more. But a growing number of those building it are sounding the alarm – warning that development is racing ahead of our understanding of the risks. Some call for a pause. Many call for guardrails. We cannot afford to ignore concerns that have been raised, especially by those on the frontlines of the development of AI. Governments must assume their responsibilities. It is the first responsibility of any government to protect its citizens – including from the threats of artificial intelligence. National action is essential. But global coordination is also indispensable. Because AI does not stop at borders – and neither do its risks. Voluntary pauses that are isolated, unverifiable and unevenly applied will not address the problem. If we believe AI development should slow when risks become too great, we need more than good intentions. Through the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, we have brought together global scientific expertise to ensure that policy is guided by evidence. Artificial Intelligence will certainly be a major topic in my discussions with world leaders next week – and the United Nations will continue to explore practical ideas and approaches in the immediate days ahead. We need a shared understanding of how to advance the safe, secure, and responsible development of AI – while identifying when increasingly powerful systems may require stronger safeguards, or additional measures to manage potential risks. This requires genuine international cooperation and a coordinated global effort. I am aware of the geopolitical divides and the temptations they might generate. But the world cannot afford a race to the bottom on AI safety. We need guardrails to build trust -- and that make AI safe, transparent, accountable, with human dignity at the centre. At a time when the world faces three existential threats – runaway artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, and the intolerable deepening of inequalities – international cooperation is more necessary than ever. Thank you". Q&A
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