UN Secretary-General calls for more inclusive multilateralism to address global challenges

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - NEW YORK — UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for a "more inclusive" multilateralism to effectively tackle today's pressing global issues during the opening of the Summit of the Future's Action Days on Saturday. He noted that current multilateral institutions are struggling to respond to contemporary challenges, leaving the world "in trouble and torn apart" by conflicts, inequalities, climate change, and unregulated technologies. "We need multilateralism that is more inclusive, more effective, and more networked," Guterres stated, advocating for stronger connections between international institutions and the communities they serve. He stressed the importance of greater representation from developing countries and a stronger voice for diverse groups within society. Acknowledging that governments bear the "primary" responsibility for addressing global problems, he insisted that solutions cannot be achieved without contributions from all sectors of society. Guterres remarked that a renewed multilateralism will not be built overnight or solely by governmental efforts, calling on attendees —including world leaders, legislators, academics, artists, and activists— to collaborate and drive action forward. "We have fought for ambition. Now let’s fight for action together," he concluded, urging collective efforts to create meaningful change. — Agencies