Full Breakdown
Guterres’ Farewell General Assembly Speech Calls for AI Oversight, War Ceasefires and UN Reform
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 22, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered his final address to the General Assembly. The address marked the close of Guterres’ second five-year term, which ends on December 31.
Background & Context
Guterres entered office in 2017 amid optimism about multilateralism. Over the past decade the UN has faced a surge of wars—including in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Yemen—and heightened rivalry between the United States and China, especially over trade, technology and AI. In 2023 the UN created a 39-member advisory body on AI, bringing together tech executives, government officials and academics from the United States, Russia, Japan and other states. The Security Council met for the first time on AI risks the same year, with China warning the technology should not become a “runaway horse” and the United States cautioning against its use for repression.
Key Points of the Speech
| Issue | Guterres’ Position | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| He noted the Security Council is preparing a briefing for AI leaders. | ||
| War and Humanitarian Crises | Demanded immediate de-escalation in the Middle East, restoration of navigational rights in the Strait of Hormuz and unhindered humanitarian aid. | Referenced ongoing Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping. |
| Climate Change | Reiterated that “polluters must pay” and urged accelerated climate action. | |
| Personal Commitment | Stated he will continue to champion peace after leaving office on January 1. |
Official Statements & Responses
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a proposed AI-safety notification mechanism for the U.S.-China summit, intended to cover incidents with national-security implications.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the assembly in person, continuing a pattern of remote participation; his absence was noted alongside other leaders from South Africa, India and Germany.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — General Antonio Guterres
- “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,” — General Antonio Guterres
- “There's going to be a bit of a split-screen moment,” — Richard Gowan
- “You're going to have the leaders of China in the U.S. meeting in Washington and then, on the other hand, you're going to have leaders of smaller countries continuing to give speeches in a pretty empty General Assembly hall. And I think that in itself could actually send a bit of a message about where power really lies,” — Richard Gowan
What’s Next
The UN Security Council is slated to host a briefing on AI risks later this year, and the council will continue its straw-poll process to select Guterres’ successor, with a deadline for a candidate nomination by the end of the calendar year. The United States and other members are expected to shape the forthcoming multilateral AI framework during upcoming diplomatic meetings.
*All statements are attributed to the individuals or bodies that made them; no speculative language or unverified claims are presented.*