chief calls curbs
| |

UN chief calls for AI curbs and end to wars in his last assembly address

ByJustpaste.in

UNITED NATIONS – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used his final address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, September 22, to urge world leaders to regulate artificial intelligence, end wars, focus on climate change, and overhaul UN institutions he warned are struggling to confront mounting global challenges.

The former Portuguese prime minister, whose second five-year term ends on December 31, reiterated his calls for global oversight of AI risks, just as the UN’s 15-member Security Council prepares to host AI leaders for a briefing on the powerful technology.

Guterres also reflected on the gridlock within the organization, as nearly 130 world leaders gathered in New York, and Chinese President Xi Jinping and others — including leaders from South Africa, India and Germany — skipped the diplomatic meeting.

Delegates responded with sustained applause when Guterres defended a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, demanded that “polluters must pay” for climate change, and pressed for reforms to international institutions, causes he has championed throughout his decade leading the United Nations.

The address capped a decade-long tenure in which Guterres sought to position the UN as a mediator in conflicts and a forum for governing emerging technologies, even as major powers increasingly bypassed the organization and Washington slashed its funding.

“Those countries leading this technological revolution must share information on emerging safety risks, cooperate on testing and evaluation – and work towards common safeguards that protect us all,” Guterres told the assembly.

He called on the leaders gathered in New York to “advance the conditions for the responsible pacing of AI and the additional safeguards needed to address risks” and to “work towards a multilateral AI risk management framework, supported by credible and independent oversight.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that Washington had proposed a new AI safety notification mechanism for US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi to consider at their summit this week. The proposal emerged from talks on establishing a US-China AI dialogue and would cover AI-related incidents with national security implications.

A champion for global governance of AI

Guterres has long pushed for global governance of AI. In 2023, the UN created a ‌39-member ⁠advisory body on AI, with members including tech company executives, government officials and academics from countries such as the US, Russia and Japan.

The Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, met for the first time on the risks of artificial intelligence the same year, when China said the ​technology should not become a “runaway horse” and Washington warned against its use ​to censor or ⁠repress people.

On the Middle East, where the conflict has widened as Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast threaten shipping routes and tensions persist in the Strait of Hormuz, Guterres called for “de-escalation and dialogue.”

“Together, let’s send a clear message from this hall: The fighting must stop. Humanitarian aid must flow. And navigational rights and freedoms must be fully restored in accordance with international law,” Guterres said.

On the UN system, criticized by Trump and others as bloated and ineffective after Washington withdrew from several UN agencies and slashed funding, Guterres said, “our mechanisms for collective action are under growing strain” and global institutions “continue to reflect the power realities and interests of a largely bygone age.”

Guterres used the address to bid farewell to most of the global leaders he has worked with over the last 10 years.

“So, on January 1st, when I am no longer Secretary-General, be sure of this. Wherever I will be, whatever I will be doing – I will keep championing the conviction that peace is possible,” he said. “I will continue to stand up for the values of the United Nations Charter and I will never, ever give up. Thank you.” – Rappler.com

Similar Posts

  • | |

    47 killed in 7.7-magnitude Indonesia earthquake

    ByJustpaste.in

    JAKARTA: At least 47 people were killed after a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, triggering dozens of aftershocks, landslides and a brief tsunami warning, authorities said. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported widespread damage across the affected region, while rescue operations were hampered by blocked roads and disrupted communications. Teams were still unable to reach Nagekeo, the area closest to the epicentre, because landslides had cut off road access. In the port town of Maumere, rescuers recovered 20 bodies and found six injured people, while two others remained trapped beneath rubble. Officials said residents were also trapped in damaged buildings in other parts of the region. Tsunami waves measuring less than one metre were recorded in several coastal areas following the early-morning quake. Authorities lifted the tsunami warning around three hours later. Around 2,000 people in Nagekeo were evacuated as homes, warehouses and government buildings suffered damage. Power outages and severe traffic disruptions were also reported. Rescue teams were attempting to reach isolated communities by alternative routes, including ferry services, as authorities continued assessing the full scale of the disaster.

  • |

    Iran publicly confirms three missing Pilots were captured by Qatar

    ByJustpaste.in

      Iran has publicly confirmed for the first time that three Iranian Air Force pilots who went missing following an attack on a US military base in Qatar on March 2 were captured alive by Qatari forces. According to news agency, a senior Iranian military official has called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to investigate the condition of the pilots and take steps to secure their release. Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh, commander of the committee established by the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff to investigate missing personnel, expressed concern over the fate of the pilots in a letter addressed to ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger. According to Bagherzadeh, on March 2, 2026, two Iranian Air Force Su-24 fighter bombers were dispatched toward a US military base in Qatar in response to attacks carried out against Iran. He said both aircraft successfully completed their mission but were targeted by an enemy air defence system while returning, forcing their crews to eject. Four pilots were aboard the two aircraft. One of them, Majid Kazemi, was killed in the incident. His remains were later recovered, transferred to Iran and buried there, according to the Iranian military official. Bagherzadeh said Iran had received information indicating that the other three pilots involved in the incident—Javad Salehi, Abdulhamid Dashtian and Imran Behroishian—had survived and were captured by Qatari forces. In his letter, the Iranian brigadier general criticised Qatar, claiming that six months after the incident, Qatari authorities had failed to respect the rights of the prisoners under international law, including the Geneva Conventions. He said that despite diplomatic efforts and continued communication, Iranian authorities had not been allowed to meet or interview the pilots. He also alleged that the three men had not been permitted to communicate with their families or Iranian officials responsible for following the case. Bagherzadeh said the issue could fall under provisions relating to war crimes and therefore required serious consideration and investigation. He called on the Red Cross to immediately visit the three Iranian pilots in Qatar, assess their health and current condition, inform Iranian authorities about their situation, and assist in securing their immediate release. The Iranian news agency said the disclosure came after months of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the three pilots. On August 1, Iranian military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said Iran was continuing to pursue the matter. At the time, Qatari authorities maintained that they had no information regarding the missing Iranian air force personnel. According to the Iranian military, the two Su-24 aircraft had taken off from Shahid Doran Air Base in Shiraz. Iranian officials claimed that, despite advanced radar networks and sophisticated air defence systems, the aircraft managed to strike Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is used by the United States. The Iranian military further claimed that the aircraft were targeted by enemy air defence systems over the Gulf while returning from the mission. Despite heavy ground-based anti-aircraft fire, the operation was reportedly completed successfully. Iranian officials described the mission as a demonstration that the attacking forces could be challenged and said it delivered a clear message to their adversaries. The development follows an earlier statement by Qatar’s Ministry of Defence, which said on March 2 that the Qatari Air Force had shot down two Iranian Su-24 aircraft approaching from Iran. The latest Iranian disclosure could add further diplomatic pressure on Qatar and increase international attention on the status and treatment of the three missing pilots.

  • |

    London motorway chaos: M25 closed after major industrial fire near St Albans

    ByJustpaste.in

    A major industrial fire near London has forced the closure of the M25 in both directions, triggering widespread traffic disruption and fears of possible explosions. The blaze broke out at a commercial premises in Ventura Park, near St Albans, shortly after 9.20am on Tuesday. Huge plumes of thick smoke could be seen rising over the motorway as firefighters rushed to contain the fire. The M25 has been closed between Junction 21A and Junction 22, with motorists warned to avoid the area and use alternative routes. Emergency services took the decision to close the motorway amid concerns over smoke, falling debris and the potential for secondary explosions from the industrial site. Multiple fire appliances have been deployed to tackle the blaze, while police officers are also at the scene managing the emergency and surrounding traffic. National Highways has warned motorists to expect significant delays and congestion, urging drivers to allow extra time for their journeys or avoid the affected area altogether. The incident has caused major disruption on one of London’s key orbital routes, with congestion building on surrounding roads as traffic is diverted away from the closed section. Residents close to the fire have been advised to keep windows and doors closed because of the heavy smoke. The fire is also close to a railway line, with Network Rail representatives liaising with firefighters as emergency services assess the situation. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Emergency crews remain at the scene and the M25 will stay closed while firefighters work to bring the blaze under control and authorities determine when it is safe to reopen the motorway. Motorists are being urged not to travel towards the affected section and to follow official traffic and emergency-service instructions. The incident remains ongoing.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *