In a farewell speech that doubled as a warning flare, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used his final address to the General Assembly to press world leaders to rein in artificial intelligence, bring wars to a close, accelerate action on climate change and modernise UN institutions he said are buckling under a growing load of global crises.
The former Portuguese prime minister, whose second five-year term expires on 31 December, renewed his push for international oversight of AI risks as the UN’s 15-member Security Council prepares to host AI leaders for a briefing on the fast-advancing technology.
Mr Guterres also acknowledged the organisation’s deepening paralysis as nearly 130 heads of state and government converged on New York, even as Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders – including those from South Africa, India and Germany – stayed away from the high-level gathering.
Follow live: World leaders gathering for UN General Assembly
When Mr Guterres defended a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, insisted that “polluters must pay” for climate change, and called again for reforms to international institutions, delegates answered with sustained applause, underscoring themes he has carried throughout his decade at the helm of the United Nations.
‘AI must be shaped by humanity, with humanity and for all humanity’ – Guterres
The speech closed out a ten-year tenure in which Mr Guterres tried to cast the UN as both a broker in conflicts and a rule-setter for emerging technologies, despite major powers increasingly working around the organisation and Washington cutting its funding.
“Those countries leading this technological revolution must share information on emerging safety risks, cooperate on testing and evaluation – and work towards common safeguards that protect us all,” Mr Guterres told the assembly.
He urged leaders to “advance the conditions for the responsible pacing of AI and the additional safeguards needed to address risks” and to “work towards a multilateral AI risk management framework, supported by credible and independent oversight.”
Mr Guterres has long pushed for global governance of AI.
In 2023, the UN created a 39-member advisory body on AI, with members including tech company executives, government officials and academics from countries such as the US, Russia and Japan.
Antonio Guterres received a standing ovation after speaking during the 81st United Nations General Assembly
The Security Council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, held its first meeting on the risks of artificial intelligence that same year, when China cautioned the technology should not become a “runaway horse” and Washington warned against its use to censor or repress people.
Turning to the Middle East – where the conflict has broadened as Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast threaten shipping routes and tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz – Mr Guterres appealed for “de-escalation and dialogue”.
“Together, let’s send a clear message from this hall: The fighting must stop. Humanitarian aid must flow. And navigational rights and freedoms must be fully restored in accordance with international law,” Guterres said.
On the UN system, frequently attacked by US President Donald Trump and others as unwieldy and ineffective after Washington quit several UN agencies and reduced funding, Mr Guterres said, “our mechanisms for collective action are under growing strain” and global institutions “continue to reflect the power realities and interests of a largely bygone age”.
Taoiseach to meet Guterres, Mamdani this week
Over the course of the General Assembly sessions this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin is expected to take part in a series of bilateral meetings and attend engagements focused on developments in the Middle East.
Among them is a meeting of the ‘Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to participate in several bilateral meetings with leaders
The group says it aims to advance a two-state solution and back efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr Martin is also due to attend an event hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to mark almost a year since the Gaza peace plan was announced.
Scheduled meetings also include talks between Mr Martin and outgoing UN Secretary General António Guterres, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Wars involving Iran and Ukraine, artificial intelligence and the strain on the international system are expected to dominate discussions this week.
US President Donald Trump is set to address the Assembly – which begins at 3pm Irish time – later today, and to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Burnham and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Read more: Ireland must navigate diplomatic relationships at UN General Assembly
Iran foreign minister arrives in New York
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York last night, at the head of Iran’s diplomatic delegation for the annual gathering.
Mr Araghchi is the highest-ranking Iranian official to enter the United States since the Middle East war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
After landing, Mr Araghchi spoke by phone with Mr Guterres and discussed the agenda for the UN General Assembly, according to Iranian state television.
“Our most important objective is to use a major international platform to defend the legitimacy, rights, and interests of the Iranian people,” Mr Araghchi was quoted as telling Iranian journalists.
French President Emmanuel Macron walks with Jerome Bonnafont (L), Permanent Representative of France to the UN after a meeting with US President Donald Trump at Trump Tower
Earlier, Iranian state media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian would lead the delegation and that the US had declined to issue visas to members of his team, including his communications staff.
But in a post on X announcing Mr Aragchi’s arrival, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei described the minister as “head of a diplomatic delegation” at the General Assembly.
Mr Baghaei said Mr Aragchi “will hold talks and consultations with numerous officials and foreign ministers attending the session.”
Mr Pezeshkian, before leaving for New York, pledged to “firmly defend” Iran’s positions.
“We emerged with our heads held high, and this is a source of dignity and pride for all of us. Therefore, we will firmly defend our positions in international forums,” he said ahead of departure, according to footage carried by state television.
Although the US has permitted an Iranian delegation to travel for the UN gathering, it has again imposed restrictions, as it did last year.
Iran’s delegation, the State Department said, will not be permitted to buy luxury goods or other items while in New York City.
Iranian state media said the US had refused to grant visas to members of the delegation, including the communications team.
Additional reporting Jackie Fox
