UN: Humanity has released “the evils of a modern Pandora’s box”

(Keystone-ATS) “Our actions, or inactions, have unleashed the evils of a modern Pandora’s box,” declared Antonio Guterres while presenting his priorities for 2025 before the General Assembly.

“Four of these evils stand out because they represent, at best, threats that could disrupt every aspect of our politics, and at worst they could disrupt our very existence,” he added, citing “rampant conflicts, endemic inequalities, the raging climate crisis, technologies out of control.”

Multiplication of conflicts

First of these evils, the conflicts which “are multiplying, becoming more complicated and more deadly”, as in Gaza or Sudan, noted Antonio Guterres, also denouncing the nuclear threat “at the highest level in decades”, the “constant” attacks » against human rights and “endemic impunity”.

In this context, he firmly called on “all parties to finalize a ceasefire agreement and release of hostages” in Gaza, while such an agreement is “at the final stage” according to Qatar, after 15 months. war between Israel and Hamas.

He also expressed concern about where the ongoing “reorganization” of the Middle East, from Iran to Syria, might lead.

The head of the UN, who for years has made the fight against global warming a priority, once again castigates the fossil fuel industries and others responsible for the “climate crisis which is ravaging” our world.

“Look no further than the hills of Los Angeles, a disaster movie location turned disaster scene,” he noted.

While all the signatories to the Paris agreement are supposed to present in the coming weeks a revision of their climate objectives by 2035, he also announced a summit to “take stock” of these plans and keep the The objective of +1.5°C “within reach”, before COP30 in Brazil in November.

A little hope

While he regularly reiterates his concerns about the unbridled development of artificial intelligence, he highlights the “unprecedented opportunities” of the “technological revolution” which also requires “prudent management”.

“The world needs ethical, safe and secure AI,” he argued, calling on the General Assembly to set up “without delay” the International Group of Scientific Experts approved by Member States and intended to enlighten decision-makers on the risks and opportunities of AI.

“We have a historic responsibility to ensure that this revolution benefits all humanity and not just a privileged few,” he argued.

More broadly, the immense inequalities in the world, an “undeniable sign” that “something is profoundly broken in our social, economic, political and financial systems”, are, according to him, one of the evils that have come out of Pandora’s box.

“The good news is that we have the plans to tackle these challenges. We do not need to reinvent the wheel, only to make it turn,” stressed the Secretary General, calling for action following the priorities adopted last September in the “Pact for the Future” (strengthening the multilateral system, reform of financial institutions, disarmament, fight against poverty, etc.).

Continuing to unfold the myth of Pandora, he called for lifting, “through action”, the lid of the box to free the hope that remained prisoner.

“We never lose sight of hope,” he insisted, already seeing “signs” of a better future.

“Yes, there is progress in our world in turmoil,” he assured, citing the ceasefire in Lebanon, the unprecedented development of renewable energies, the improvement in infant mortality or even wider access to the internet.

He has finally stepped up to defend the UN, which is increasingly under attack as it prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary.

“Since day one, the United Nations has represented the global conscience. In a world that seems to want destruction at all costs, our organization has been a force of construction,” he assured.