Davos - New York: Europe and the Arabs
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, said that today we face two new and profound threats that require much greater global attention and action, because they threaten to turn life as we know it upside down, namely the climate crisis and the uncontrolled expansion of artificial intelligence. According to the UN News Bulletin, a copy of which we received on Thursday morning, which published his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos yesterday, Wednesday, the Secretary-General referred to the Forum’s focus this year on cooperation for the smart age, describing it as a “noble vision.” But he said: “Let’s face it. When many people look around the world, they don’t see much cooperation. And perhaps they don’t see enough intelligence in their minds.”
He added that despite the progress made on many fronts, including investments in renewable energy sources, technological leaps, and health advances, many of our world’s problems are getting worse.
Guterres said that the world is witnessing a proliferation of conflicts, some of which are reshaping different regions of the world, not least of which is the Middle East.
“There is finally a measure of hope with the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in Gaza, and we are working to increase much-needed humanitarian assistance,” he said.

“From the Middle East to Ukraine to Sudan and beyond, we still face an uphill battle. But we will never give up on our call for peace, but peace based on the values ​​of the UN Charter and international law – including international humanitarian law – and the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states,” Guterres said.

‘Frankenstein’s monster’

The UN chief spoke of the two new threats facing the world, the first of which is climate chaos.

“I recently saw an analysis that revealed a grim paradox. Rising sea levels will inundate 13 of the world’s largest supertanker ports,” he said.

“Our addiction to fossil fuels is a Frankenstein’s monster, sparing nothing and no one,” he added.

He noted that 2024 is likely to be the first calendar year to exceed 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
He said that breaching this limit means we need to fight harder to get back on track.

At the same time, he explained, “another, more hopeful story is unfolding,” noting that the cheap and abundant energy provided by renewables represents an extraordinary economic opportunity.

He addressed the retreat of a number of financial institutions and industries from their climate commitments, saying: “This is short-sighted. Ironically, it is selfish and self-destructive. You are on the wrong side of history. You are on the wrong side of science. You are on the wrong side of consumers who are looking for more sustainability, not less.”

He stressed that governments must fulfill their promise to prepare new economy-wide national climate action plans this year, well ahead of the UN climate conference in Brazil.

“Now is the time to shift our collective efforts to the maximum, and make 2025 the biggest year yet for climate action,” Guterres said.

Promise and risks
As for the second area of ​​existential concern, ungoverned AI, the UN Secretary-General noted that AI holds untold promise for humanity, but “with that promise comes profound risks, especially if AI is left ungoverned.”
He warned that AI could be used as a tool of deception, could disrupt economies and labour markets, undermine trust in institutions and have chilling effects on the battlefield, and could deepen inequalities by excluding those who do not have the resources or tools to benefit from its promise.
He said the Global Digital Charter, adopted in September at the UN, provides a roadmap for harnessing the vast potential of digital technology and bridging digital divides. It also brings the world together around a shared vision for AI – one where this technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
“We must work together so that all countries and people can benefit from the promise and potential of AI to support development and social and economic progress for all. By investing in affordable internet, digital literacy, and the infrastructure that allows every country to harness the potential of AI,” he said. “Now is the time to wake up to these existential challenges – and face them head-on. As a global community, we must shoulder this great responsibility,” the Secretary-General said.