Citing new global agreements on pandemic preparedness, ocean protection and development financing, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres said that recent “signs of momentum” show multilateralism can still deliver. Addressing ministers at UN Headquarters in New York, he called for urgent action to rescue lagging Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amid war, inequality and fiscal strain. “Transformation is not only necessary – it is possible,” he declared, highlighting landmark commitments adopted in recent months.

In honour of Nelson Mandela International Day, the United Nations is celebrating with a public service activity, a chamber music concert and a General Assembly meeting, where Secretary-General António Guterres presented the 2025 Mandela Prize. In his remarks, the Secretary-General celebrated the extraordinary life of the South African civil rights icon, affectionately known by his Khosa clan name, Madiba. “He endured the brutal weight of oppression, and emerged not with a vision of vengeance and division – but of reconciliation, peace and unity,” Mr. Guterres said.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the environment is being attacked on all fronts and called on the international community to urgently tackle the intersection of health and climate issues. Speaking at the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he emphasised the human impact of environmental devastation and climate change.  And as environmental disasters increase, the sustainable development goals are also being left behind. "Across the world, lives and livelihoods are being ripped apart, and sustainable development gains left in tatters as disasters accelerate," Mr. Guterres said. 

“We’re here in Sevilla to change course,” the UN chief told world leaders on Monday, calling on them to grasp a once-in-a-decade opportunity to close a $4 trillion financing gap facing developing countries to meet sustainable development goals – and build a better world for all. António Guterres issued his clarion call noting that sustainable development powered by international cooperation, is now facing “massive headwinds.”

Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, warning that the humanitarian crisis has reached “horrific proportions” and that the world must not let the suffering of Palestinians be overshadowed by other regional conflicts. Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters ahead of his departure to Spain for the International Conference on Financing for Development, the Secretary-General said that while the Israel-Iran conflict had dominated recent headlines, the plight of civilians in Gaza remained urgent and dire.