António Guterres spoke at the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the world’s largest security region in terms of landmass and population that currently includes China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and bag member of Iran.
The UN has had a cooperation agreement with the SCO focused on Asia since 2010, which also cooperates with many UN agencies. This year the summit was hosted via videoconference in India.
Ukraine, cause of COVID
The UN chief told Member States that growing divisions are exacerbated by different national and rational responses to global crises, differences in security threats, the consequences of COVID and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“But today’s global challenges, from the climate crisis to growing inequality and the management of new technology, can only be solved through dialogue and cooperation. and the only way that can happen is together.”
Solutions are needed on three fronts
He said there are three main areas where he believes “we can and must seek and unite for solutions.
“First, the climate crisis. Unless people work together, we are headed for disaster. We need to work together – and fast”, he said.
He quoted his Climate Solidarity Pact aimed at large carbon emitters and developing countries, supporting support for developing economies.
“Climate action is the fight of our lives, and SCO members have an important role to play”, he stressed.
AI analysis
Next, he said the solutions must come as the world walks “completely unprepared” into the new technological era.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous weapons, and bioengineering are three areas where our abilities to safely develop and control the industry and the companies that pioneered it, “fall away.”
To help build international consensus on rules, he cited the UN’s proposed Global Digital Compact to bring together governments, regional organizations, the private sector and civil society.
He said a new one UN High-Level advisory group on Artificial Intelligence could have been done.
“I am open to any initiative of the Member States to create an international agency for AI”, he added. “SCO members are global leaders in many of these areas and we count on your engagement and support.”
‘Reduce injustice’
Third, he reiterated the breakdown of trust within and between countries that fueled rising inequality. The pandemic only widens this, while hurting developing economies with excessive debt and interest payments, swallowing money that could have been spent on climate action and sustainable development.
“The The solution to irrational globalization is not to reduce globalization. This is to reduce injustice.
He called on States to work for fair globalization, climate justice, and global financial reforms that bring fairness and balance to the Bretton Woods institutions and the Security Council.
“We are calling deep reforms to make global frameworks more representative of developing and emerging economies, and more responsive to their needs. And I also call for an urgent SDG Stimulus to increase liquidity, reduce the debt burden of developing economies, and get the 2030 Agenda on track. “
He said at the national level, a strong focus is needed on social protection and jobs. A new social contract must be based on respect “for all human rights”, he added.
Afghanistan and human rights
He said the SCO is well placed to advance peace and security in Eurasia and counter violent extremism and terrorism.
He welcomed the commitment of Afghanistan’s neighbors to a peaceful and united Afghanistan”with an inclusive widely based Government” after the 2021 Taliban takeover, which returned the country to rule by religious fiat and completely undermined women’s rights.
He said Afghans need “a Government that wants protect the rights of all its people, especially women and girlsand prevent the country from becoming a center of terrorism and violent extremism.”
Mr. Guterres welcomed the SCO’s commitment to deepen cooperation with the UN and called for “strong engagement” from States ahead of the SDG Summit, Climate Ambition Summit and his planned Future Summit next. year.
“Let’s work together for global solutions that promote peace and security, sustainable development and human rights for all.”