Guterres warns of widening rifts in final UNGA address

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered his final speech to the General Assembly, warning of escalating global divisions and urging collective action to address conflicts, climate change, inequality, and AI risks. He specifically called on the U.S. and China to establish dialogue on AI governance to prevent dangerous outcomes, highlighting ongoing international efforts to regulate the technology ahead of upcoming diplomatic talks.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered his final address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, warning of deepening global divisions and urging renewed international cooperation to confront pressing challenges. Speaking at the annual gathering of world leaders in New York, Guterres emphasized that no single nation can address complex issues such as ongoing conflicts, climate change, inequality, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) on its own.

“The fault lines in our world are widening,” Guterres said, calling on member states to build a global order grounded in interdependence across economic, political, social, and technological spheres. He rejected the notion that military strength alone can secure peace, noting that recent wars have shown the limits of force in resolving international disputes.

The General Assembly session comes amid numerous conflicts worldwide, including in Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, and Myanmar, which dominate discussions among the UN’s 193 member countries. Guterres’ remarks were delivered shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump presented a contrasting perspective on global power, asserting that his administration has used strength to position the United States as the world’s most powerful country.

Artificial intelligence was a central topic in Guterres’ address. He urged the United States and China—currently the leading powers in AI development—to engage in direct dialogue to manage the risks posed by the technology. Drawing parallels to Cold War-era arrangements between the United States and the Soviet Union that helped mitigate existential threats, Guterres called for similar communication mechanisms to ensure AI is developed and used responsibly.

This appeal aligns with ongoing talks between Washington and Beijing to establish a dedicated channel for AI-related concerns ahead of a planned summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The topic has featured prominently throughout the General Assembly, with leaders from more than 20 countries advocating for enforceable safety regulations for advanced AI systems, though neither the U.S. nor China have signed these calls. The UN Security Council is also organizing a high-level meeting on AI issues later this week.

Concluding his speech, Guterres reflected on his impending departure at the end of his second five-year term on December 31. He vowed to continue advocating for the principles embodied by the United Nations, stating, “Wherever I will be, whatever I will be doing, I will keep championing the conviction that peace is possible.” His remarks were met with a sustained standing ovation from assembly delegates.

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