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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that humanity had unleashed a “Pandora’s box of evils”, including “uncontrollable technology” that risks upending “our very existence”.
“Our actions – or inactions – have unleashed a Pandora’s box of modern-day ills,” Guterres said.
“Four of these evils stand out because they represent, at best, threats that could disrupt every aspect of our agenda and, at worst, upend our very existence: uncontrollable conflict. technology.”
The UN chief outlined his priorities in a speech to the General Assembly for the coming year, at a time when the organization faces unprecedented crises and polarization.
The organization’s highest decision-making body, the Security Council, is paralyzed. The war in Gaza has seen Israel and its allies attack the neutrality of the UN, and peacekeeping peacekeepers have been caught in the crossfire in Lebanon and Syria.
Donald Trump’s return to the White House could further complicate Guterres’ agenda, experts warn.
“Yes, there is progress in our tumultuous world,” Guterres said, highlighting the relative success of the ceasefire in Lebanon and the pace of renewable energy development.
“But let us not be under any illusions: the world is truly in turmoil and grave uncertainty.”
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