No one power' can solve global problems, says UN chief as Trump veers away

"United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that international cooperation is eroding in the world, during a media briefing where he took aim at one maybe two powerful countries undermining efforts to solve global problems collectively. In his annual address as secretary-general, where he outlined priorities for the UN, Guterres said on Thursday that the world body stood ready to help members do more to address their most pressing issues, including the climate catastrophe, inequality, conflict and the rising influence of technology companies."

"But he warned that global problems will not be solved by one power calling the shots, in apparent reference to United States President Donald Trump's administration and his moves to abandon much of the UN system, while also impelling countries to join his newly-created Board of Peace. Guterres went on to say that two powers would also not solve key problems by carving the world into rival spheres of influence,"

"Guterres, who will step down from his position at the end of the year, underscored the UN's ongoing commitment to international law amid concerns that treaties, which countries have abided by for decades, are coming undone. Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza and the brazen abduction of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro by US forces, the UN chief warned that international law is being trampled and multilateral institutions are under assault on many fronts."

International cooperation is eroding as powerful countries undermine multilateral institutions and collective problem-solving. The UN stands ready to support members addressing climate catastrophe, inequality, conflict, and the rising influence of technology companies. Global problems will not be solved by a single power dictating solutions or by two powers carving rival spheres of influence. Treaties that guided state behavior for decades face strain and potential undoing. International law is being trampled amid conflicts and high-profile violations, and multilateral institutions face assaults on many fronts. The UN continues to push for just and sustainable peace rooted in international law.

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