World still on ‘red alert’ but there’s hope – UN chief

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has restated the “red alert” he issued on January 1, 2018, over a range of dangers confronting the world, which “still persist” as 2019 looms.

The UN chief said in his message for the New Year that “these are anxious times for many, and our world is undergoing a stress test”.

He reiterated one of his calls during 2018 over climate change, saying it was still “running faster than we are,” and that deepening geopolitical divisions are making conflicts more difficult to resolve.

He said record numbers of people were moving in search of safety and protection, inequality is growing and “people are questioning a world in which a handful of people hold the same wealth as half of humanity”.

Moreover, he said that intolerance was on the rise while trust was also declining.

“But there are also reasons for hope, notably in Yemen where breakthrough talks have created an opportunity at least, for peace,” the Secretary-General said.

Mr Guterres also cited the September agreement signed in Riyadh between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which eased long-running tensions and brought improved prospects to an entire region as cause for optimism.

Likewise, he pointed to the agreement between warring parties in South Sudan which had revitalised chances for peace, “bringing more progress in the past four months than in the previous four years”.

The UN was also able to bring countries together in Katowice, Poland, to agree on a programme to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change.

“Now we need to increase ambition to beat this existential threat, it’s time to seize our last best chance to stop uncontrolled and spiralling climate change,” Guterres said.

The UN chief said in recent weeks, the UN also oversaw landmark global agreements on migration and refugees, “that will help to save lives and overcome damaging myths”.

And people everywhere are mobilising behind the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which he called “our global blueprint for peace, justice and prosperity on a healthy planet.”

“When international cooperation works, the world wins,” the UN chief stressed.

He maintained that in 2019, the UN “will continue to bring people together to build bridges and create space for solutions,” keeping up the pressure for change.

“As we begin this New Year, let’s resolve to confront threats, defend human dignity and build a better future – together,” Guterres said, wishing the world a peaceful, prosperous and healthy 2019.

(NAN)