United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged countries worldwide to take decisive action in 2025 to address global crises, including climate change, inequality, and conflict. In his New Year message, Guterres called for bold measures to slash emissions and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
“Throughout 2024, hope has been hard to find,” Guterres said, citing the devastating impact of wars, rising inequalities, and the ongoing climate crisis. He emphasized the urgency of action, highlighting that the past decade has been the hottest on record, with 2024 marking another year of unprecedented heat.
“This is climate breakdown in real time,” he warned. “We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose.”
Guterres expressed optimism, pointing to signs of progress and resilience:
- Activists advocating for change.
- Humanitarian workers aiding the vulnerable.
- Developing nations fighting for financial and climate justice.
- Scientists and innovators advancing solutions for humanity.
He also highlighted the “Pact for the Future,” adopted by world leaders in September, as a framework for building peace, reforming global financial systems, promoting equality, and ensuring technology serves humanity.
“There are no guarantees for what lies ahead in 2025,” Guterres cautioned, but he reaffirmed his commitment to working alongside those striving for a more peaceful, equal, and sustainable future.
Closing on a hopeful note, he added, “Together, we can make 2025 a new beginning—not as a world divided, but as nations united.”
