UN chief at BRICS summit in Kazan. UN chief at BRICS summit in Kazan: Ukraine needs peace based on UN Charter principles Peace and security
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke at the BRICS summit in Kazan on Thursday. He noted that the population of these countries represents almost half of the world’s population and welcomed the group’s determination to solve international problems, but stressed that “no group or country can act alone or in isolation.”
According to the Secretary-General, tackling global challenges – from conflict and climate change to digital inequality and the lack of a voice for developing countries – requires a “community of nations” working as “one global family.”
Guterres proposed four areas of action to advance peace, multilateralism, support for inclusive development and the protection of human rights.
Finance
“The first is finance. Today’s international financial system cannot offer many vulnerable countries the safety net or the level of support they need,” the UN chief said.
“The Pact for the Future calls for accelerated reform of the international financial architecture, which is outdated, ineffective and unfair,” he added.
Guterres noted that the Pact speaks of the need to change the current business model in order to increase the lending capacity of multilateral development banks for developing countries.
He recalled next year’s Conference on Financing for Development and the World Summit on Social Development as important milestones on the path to reform of the international financial system. Guterres also emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation.
Climate
The second area of cooperation, according to the UN chief, is climate.
“Each country has committed to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This requires decisive action to reduce emissions now,” Guterres said.
He recalled that the UN Climate Conference (COP-29) is starting very soon and called on countries to develop new targets for reducing emissions.
Technology
Thirdly, the UN chief said, every country should have access to the benefits of new technologies.
“The Global Digital Compact obliges us to strengthen global cooperation and build capacity [in this area]. It includes the first truly universal agreement on international governance of artificial intelligence, which will give every country a seat at the table on AI,” the Secretary-General emphasized.
World
Guterres also called for “strengthening and updating the machinery for ensuring peace.” According to him, these efforts should include reform of the UN Security Council, steps towards nuclear disarmament, as well as measures related to the militarization of outer space and the use of lethal autonomous weapons.
The UN chief spoke of the need for peace in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as in Ukraine and Sudan.
“We need peace in Ukraine. A just peace in accordance with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” the Secretary-General said.
He called for upholding the values of the UN Charter, the rule of law, the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states.