UN chief has reasons for hope for
2019 despite “red alert” of 2018
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| UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.- AFP |
In a message for the New Year, UN Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres expressed his hope for 2019, despite the “red alert” he sounded for
2018 still there.
By Robin Gomes
As the New Year 2019 dawns, the United Nations
chief says he has “reasons for hope”, despite the “red alert” over a range of
dangers confronting the world he sounded at the start of 2018 still on.
“These are anxious times for many, and our world is
undergoing a stress test,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said
in a New Year
video message released on Saturday.
Concerns
He expressed his continuing concern over climate
change saying it is “still “running faster than we are,” and the
deepening geo-political divisions are making conflicts
more difficult to resolve.
Added to these, record numbers of people are moving in
search of safety and protection, inequality is growing and “people are
questioning a world in which a handful of people hold the same wealth as
half of humanity.” While intolerance is on the rise and
trust is declining.
Hopes
On the other hand, Guterres noted, “there are also reasons
for hope”, notably in Yemen where breakthrough talks have
created an opportunity at least, for peace.
The agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea signed
in Riyadh in September has eased long-running tensions and brought improved
prospects to an entire region as a cause for optimism.
Meanwhile, the agreement between warring parties in South
Sudan has revitalized chances for peace, “bringing more progress in
the past four months than in the previous four years.”
Climate change
Guterres sounded upbeat that the UN was able to bring countries
together in Katowice, Poland in December, to agree on a programme
to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change.
He said, “Now we need to increase ambition to beat this
existential threat.” “It’s time to seize our last best chance” and “stop uncontrolled
and spiralling climate change.”
People on the move
In recent weeks, the UN also oversaw landmark global
agreements on migration and refugees, “that will help to save lives and
overcome damaging myths.”
SDGs
And people everywhere are mobilizing behind the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), which he called “our global blueprint for peace,
justice and prosperity on a healthy planet.”
“When international cooperation works, the world wins”, the
UN chief stressed.
2019
He maintained that in 2019, the UN “will continue to bring
people together to build bridges and create space for solutions ”
, keeping up the pressure for change.
“As we begin this New Year, let’s resolve to confront
threats, defend human dignity and build a better
future – together,” concluded the Secretary-General, wishing the world a
peaceful, prosperous and healthy 2019. (Source: UN news)
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