UN Chief Calls for AI Curbs and End to Wars in His Last Assembly Address

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered his final address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, urging world leaders to regulate artificial intelligence, cease conflicts, prioritize climate change initiatives, and overhaul United Nations institutions. Guterres, who is set to step down from his role on December 31, reiterated his calls for global oversight of AI risks as the UN's Security Council prepares to host AI leaders for a briefing on the powerful technology.

The former Portuguese prime minister, whose term ends on December 31, also criticized the UN's internal struggles, noting that nearly 130 world leaders attended the diplomatic gathering in New York, while others, including leaders from South Africa, India, and Germany, opted not to participate. Guterres defended the two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, demanded that "polluters must pay" for climate change, and called for reforms to international institutions.

He urged leaders to advance responsible AI pacing and implement safeguards to address risks, and called for a multilateral AI risk management framework backed by credible and independent oversight.