UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the global community to make 2025 “a new beginning” as he reflected on a tumultuous 2024 in his New Year’s address. He cited escalating conflicts, deepening inequalities, and a decade of record-breaking heat as reminders of the challenges ahead.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that “hope has been hard to find” this past year, with wars causing “enormous pain, suffering, and displacement” while divisions and mistrust fester.
The Secretary-General highlighted the alarming reality of climate change, pointing out that the past ten years have been the hottest on record. “This is climate breakdown — in real-time,” he declared. He called for bold measures in 2025 to combat this crisis, including slashing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.
“We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose,” Guterres stressed, urging countries to adopt decisive strategies for a safer and more sustainable future.
Despite the dire outlook, Guterres praised individuals and movements that have inspired change. He saluted activists advocating for progress, humanitarian workers supporting vulnerable populations and developing nations striving for financial and climate justice.
The Secretary-General also acknowledged the contributions of scientists and innovators advancing solutions for humanity’s most pressing issues. He highlighted the Pact for the Future, adopted by UN Member States last September, as a framework to promote peace through disarmament, reform global financial systems, and harness technology for the benefit of people over profits.
“Even in the darkest days, I have seen hope power change,” he noted, expressing optimism for the collective efforts of governments, organizations, and individuals in shaping a better future.
Global Conflicts Demand Urgent Attention
The United Nations faces significant challenges in addressing several critical conflicts as 2024 comes to a close. The ongoing war in Ukraine remains a humanitarian disaster, with nearly half the population in need of assistance due to continued fighting and displacement. Guterres has repeatedly called for a “just and sustainable peace” grounded in international law.
In Africa, the crisis in Sudan has become one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. Since April 2023, over 12 million people have been displaced, with millions facing acute food insecurity. Neighboring countries have been overwhelmed by the influx of refugees, underscoring the need for international support.
The Middle East also remains volatile. Intensified Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and violence in Gaza have displaced thousands, exacerbating the region’s humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, the Sahel region in West Africa grapples with political instability and terrorism, particularly in Burkina Faso and Niger, where over 33 million people are expected to require humanitarian aid.
These interconnected crises highlight the UN’s pivotal role in fostering peace and delivering humanitarian assistance amid rising geopolitical tensions.
As 2025 approaches, Guterres called for unity and cooperation to address these global challenges. “There are no guarantees for what lies ahead in 2025,” he acknowledged, pledging to stand with those striving for a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world.
He reiterated the importance of adhering to human rights, international law, and the UN Charter. “Together, we can make 2025 a new beginning. Not as a world divided. But as nations united,” he concluded.
The Secretary-General’s message serves as a rallying cry for governments, institutions, and individuals to rise to the occasion. From addressing climate change to resolving conflicts, the road ahead demands unwavering commitment, innovation, and collective action.
READ ALSO: President Akufo-Addo to Chair National Honours and Awards Ceremony
