United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that humanity has opened “a modern-day Pandora’s box of ills.”
These ills include “uncontrollable technology” which, in the worst cases, “could upend our existence,” he said during his address outlining his priorities for 2025 at the UN General Assembly. .
“Yes, there is progress in our tumultuous world,” Guterres acknowledged, mentioning the ceasefire in Lebanon and the unprecedented development of renewable energy. "But let's have no illusions: This is very much a world in turmoil and grave uncertainty."
"Conflicts are multiplying, becoming messier and deadlier. Deepening geo-political divisions and mistrust are adding fuel to the fire. The nuclear threat is at its highest in decades," he said. "Our actions -- or inactions -- have unleashed a modern-day Pandora's box of ills.
"Four of those ills stand out because they represent, at best, threats that could disrupt every aspect of our agenda and, at worst, upend our very existence: runaway conflicts; rampant inequalities; the raging climate crisis; and out-of-control technology."
Against this backdrop, the UN Secretary-General called for the development of “ethical and secure AI” and more efforts to keep global warming at less than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
"Look no further than the hills of Los Angeles," he said. "It has gone from the home of disaster movies to a scene of disaster."
Guterres also announced a new climate change conference, expected to be held ahead of the next COP climate talks in Belem, Brazil.
“We will convene a special event to take stock of the plans of all countries, push for action to keep [the 1.5 degree target] within reach, and deliver climate justice,” he said.
