According to Guterres, great progress has been made in recent decades: no world wars, less poverty, less hunger, less child mortality. “I think there are plenty of reasons to celebrate what we have achieved. But let’s also be honest: we live in a world with major challenges and problems.”
‘Never give up’
From the pandemic to the climate crisis: Guterres continues to insist that countries must work together, including for the development of a vaccine. However, cooperation between important partners is currently extremely difficult. The US and China accuse each other of mismanagement around the virus. President Trump decided this summer that the US, as the main lender, will leave the World Health Organization. “It is crucial for everyone to understand that it makes no sense to fight each other. We have to fight covid-19 together,” said Guterres.
The UN chief also acknowledges that his organization has by no means always succeeded in ending conflicts. This is currently reflected in Yemen or Syria, where action by the international community is met with vetoes from Russia, for example. “We must never give up, we must commit to international peace,” Guterres concludes firmly.
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