António Guterres calls for peace, climate action in New Year message

António Guterres, United Nations secretary-general, has called for peace, rebuilding trust and climate action in 2024.

In his New Year message on Friday, Guterres said 2023 was riddled with violence and climate chaos that caused humanity so much pain.

He said with the rising number of wars around the world, trust is broken and efforts must be made to restore it in the coming year.

The UN chief urged nations to come together against discrimination and hatred which fuels feuds between countries and communities.

“2023 has been a year of enormous suffering, violence and climate chaos. Humanity is in pain, our planet is in peril. 2023 is the hottest year on record,” Guterres said.

“People are getting crushed by growing poverty and hunger. Wars are growing in number and ferocity and trust is in short supply.

“But pointing fingers and pointing guns lead nowhere. Humanity is strongest when we stand together.

“2024 must be a year for rebuilding trust and restoring hope. We must come together across divides for shared solutions for climate action, for economic opportunity and the federal global financial system that delivers for all.

“Together we must stand up against the discrimination and hatred, the fact poisoning relations between countries and communities.

“And we must make sure new technologies such as artificial intelligence are a force for good.

“The United Nations will keep rallying the world for peace, sustainable development and human rights.

“It has resolved to make 2024 a year of building trust and hope in all that we can accomplish together.

“I wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.”