Antonio Guterres, Modi Discuss BRICS Priorities, Global Conflicts and AI Weapons

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI: With wars continuing in the Middle East and Ukraine, global food supplies under pressure and major questions hanging over the future of international cooperation, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The meeting brought together several of the most pressing issues facing the world, from reform of global institutions and freedom of navigation to food security, sustainable development, renewable energy and the rapidly growing role of artificial intelligence....more

Nepal floods hit vulnerable communities as UNDP estimates 2.2 million tonnes of debris

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS: Floods and mudflows along Nepal’s BhoteKoshi–Trishuli river system have left at least 2.2 million tonnes of debris within the analysed areas, according to a preliminary estimate by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The flash flood, reportedly triggered by a glacial collapse on 26 August, swept water, mud and rocks through communities in the affected districts. Nepal has reported over 1000 dead, with over 4,000 people reported missing....more

Global institutions must change with times, says Antonio Guterres at BRICS

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Sept 13: The world has moved on from 1945, but its global institutions have not. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday called for a major overhaul of the international system, saying the rise of a multipolar world demands greater representation and influence for developing countries.

Addressing the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Guterres said BRICS countries represent the changing balance of global power and can play an important role in making international institutions more representative and equitable.

“Today's economic, demographic and geopolitical realities are not those of 1945,” Guterres said, stressing the need to reform both the UN Security Council and the Bretton Woods financial system.

He outlined four priorities for achieving more inclusive global growth: financing, technology, climate justice and peace.

On development financing, Guterres said developing countries need much greater international support to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. He called for greater participation of developing nations in decisions affecting the global financial system and urged Multilateral Development Banks to expand concessional funding and attract more private investment.

He also backed stronger debt relief mechanisms and a development-oriented global debt architecture.

On artificial intelligence, Guterres warned that the technology could accelerate development but said its benefits remain concentrated among a small number of companies and countries.

Without action, he said, the AI divide could deepen existing gaps in income, opportunity, security and national sovereignty. He urged BRICS countries to support UN-backed initiatives, including the Global Network for AI Capacity Building and the Global Fund for AI.

He said climate change was another major concern. Guterres pointed to extreme heat, melting glaciers, wildfires and devastating floods as evidence of the growing risks. He said the world is likely to breach the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature threshold and must ensure any overshoot is as small and short as possible.

He called for faster investment in renewable energy, power grids and storage, along with steep methane cuts and greater protection of nature. Developed countries, he said, must meet their financial commitments, including $300 billion a year in climate finance, increased adaptation funding and greater resources for loss and damage.

Guterres also urged responsible management of critical minerals so producing countries and communities gain jobs and economic value rather than seeing their resources exploited.

Turning to global conflicts, he said the world needs peace from Gaza and the wider Middle East to Ukraine, Sudan and other crisis zones.

He called on all states to respect the UN Charter, international law, territorial integrity, political independence, freedom of navigation, international humanitarian law and human rights.

As the world moves toward a multipolar order, Guterres said countries must strengthen a multilateral system capable of delivering for all, with the United Nations at its centre.

He said he looked forward to working with BRICS countries to help shape that future.