‘Cooperation is humanity’s greatest innovation,’ UN chief declares at BRICS summit

This article is published in association with United Nations.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday warned that the environment is being attacked on all fronts and called on the international community to urgently tackle the intersection of health and climate issues.

Speaking at the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he emphasised the human impact of environmental devastation and climate change.  And as environmental disasters increase, the sustainable development goals are also being left behind.  

“Across the world, lives and livelihoods are being ripped apart, and sustainable development gains left in tatters as disasters accelerate,” Mr. Guterres said. 

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“The impact on human health is atrocious…the vulnerable and the poorer pay the highest price.” 

BRICS was founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2006. South Africa joined in 2011 and Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined the group since. Collectively, these eleven States represent over half of the world’s population and approximately one-third of the world’s GDP.  

Artificial intelligence must benefit all

On Sunday, Mr. Guterres addressed a session on strengthening multilateralism, economic-financial affairs and artificial intelligence, where he called for efforts to “minimize the risks and maximize the potential” of the breakthrough technology.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and societies. The fundamental test is how wisely we will guide this transformation, how we minimize the risks and maximize the potential for good,” he said.  

To maximize the potential, the Secretary-General argued that AI cannot be “a club of the few but must benefit all,” calling for the “real voice” of developing countries to be included in global AI governance.

He also said that human rights and equity must be the guiding principles which shape any international governance structure for AI.  

“We cannot govern AI effectively – and fairly – without confronting deeper, structural imbalances in our global system,” he said.  

Collaboration is key

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need for peace amid conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar.

He called for urgent reform of global institutions, noting that bodies like the Security Council and international financial systems were “were designed for a bygone age, a bygone world, with a bygone system of power relations.”

“The reform of the Security Council is crucial,” he said, highlighting also calls from the recent financing for development conference in Sevilla.

Priorities include greater voice for developing countries in global governance, effective debt restructuring, and tripling multilateral bank lending – especially in concessional and local-currency terms.

Call for reform

Mr. Guterrs concluded his remarks highlighting the power of cooperation and trust.

“At a time when multilateralism is being undermined, let us remind the world that cooperation is humanity’s greatest innovation,” he said.

“Let us rise to this moment – and reform and modernize multilateralism, including the UN and all the systems and institutions to make it work for everyone, everywhere.”