The UN Secretary-General says the world is shifting fast towards a multipolar system – where power is spread across several regions instead of concentrated in one or two.
But António Guterres warns this shift will not guarantee stability.
“Multipolarity alone is no guarantee of peace,” he said. Without strong cooperation, it can fuel rivalry rather than balance.
Speaking at a summit between the African Union (AU) – the continent’s political and economic union – and the European Union (EU), the bloc of 27 European states, he argued that the two regions could form a “central axis” of a fairer global order.
He said this could correct “historic injustices” and give countries long excluded from global decision-making a real voice.
He outlined three areas where cooperation can drive change.
1. Fix the global financial system
Guterres said today’s financial rules are “unfair and ineffective”. Many African countries remain trapped in debt repayments that leave little space for investment.
He called for ending unsustainable debt, tripling the lending power of multilateral development banks and giving developing nations greater influence over global finance.
“Together, you can end the injustice of poverty,” he told leaders. He added that by working together, the regions can also address pressures behind irregular migration and displacement.
