"Hope through Action in 2025": UN Chief's Call for Progress and Potential

The world continues to grapple with unprecedented challenges but there are reasons for cautious optimism in 2025 - on a long-awaited Gaza ceasefire, climate action, tackling inequality and harnessing AI for the public good - Secretary-General António Guterres asserted on Wednesday in his traditional new year address to the General Assembly setting out his key priorities.

Acknowledging the turmoil in the world, the UN chief also underscored positive developments on climate action and socio-economic progress the world and the UN's commitment has made possible.

“The world now invests almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels…almost everywhere, solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of new electricity - and the fastest growing in history,” he said. Noting how gender parity in education has gained traction around the globe, he also zeroed in on hard-fought wins to lower child mortality, HIV infections, malaria mortality rates and deter child marriage.

Restless for Reform

Describing the UN as “a force of construction”, he noted how the UN is always strengthening how it works and delivers, urging that global problems need global solutions.

"From bolstering the UN development system on the ground to achieving gender parity at the highest levels, we remain restless for reform striving to be more efficient and cost-effective. simplifying procedures, decentralizing decisions, enhancing transparency and accountability and shifting resources to invest in data, digital, innovation, strategic foresight and behavioural science."

Indeed, these steady efforts in the UN's 80th year, have ensured that no country is left alone in its quest for solving the intractable problems of today and strive for a better tomorrow.

Pact of the Future as a Driving Force

Urging Member States to not 'reinvent the wheel' but rather 'get the wheel moving', Mr. Guterres reiterated the value of the Pact of the Future along with the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. 

As a central priority for 2025, the implementation of the Pact and filling the financing gap, will be critical to achieving breakthroughs for the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Tackling inequality

He said the scourge of discrimination and hate speech was also fueling inequality, demonstrating the need to strengthen “communities of belonging”: “This is even more crucial as guardrails around social media platforms are being dismantled, allowing disinformation and hate speech to run rampant.”

Climate crisis

Referring to the infernos engulfing the canyons of Los Angeles, the UN chief said everyday people worldwide are suffering the deadly effects of a warming planet and extreme weather.

But here too, there is a huge opportunity to reverse the damage and build on climate action such as renewable energy growth, a commitment to net zero and national plans to cut emissions.

The UN is assisting nearly 100 developing countries with their climate action plans ahead of the pivotal COP30 in Brazil later this year and he promised a special stocktaking event to keep the 1.5℃ target within reach.

Technology race

The Secretary-General said the technology revolution in 2025 also offers “unprecedented opportunities” but needs careful stewardship and a commitment to equal access for all.

Rapid and decisive action must be taken across the UN to ensure a level playing field including the setting up of an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI – without delay. The governance of Artificial Intelligence must protect human rights while also promoting innovation. Finally, developing countries must be supported so AI can be leveraged for sustainable development, he said.

“Humanity’s hand must be firmly in control” of the tech revolution, he added, with every nation helping to shape AI to advance human progress, equality and dignity.

Hope remains

Highlighting protracted crises in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Haiti and the hard road to negotiating peace, the UN Chief took serious cognizance of the proverbial Pandora's Box unleashing in real-time and affecting millions around the world.

Yet in closing, he noted that the Pandora myth includes one often overlooked detail.  After the box was opened unleashing its horrors, there was one thing left inside – hope. 

Hope for a more peaceful, just and prosperous world that is within reach.

“We must never lose sight of hope,” Mr. Guterres said. “And we will work to lift the lid on that hope through action. To make it real, to help it spread – sticking to principles, speaking the truth, never giving up.”

This article has been adapted from UN News' coverage here. To read the entire speech, please click here.