UN warns of weak multilateral response to global issues

António Guterres on Friday warned about weak multilateral response amid major global challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and called to correct that course.

In his presentation at the UN General Assembly of the Our Common Agenda report, Mr. Guterres considered that this document can be a guide for a crucial moment for humanity in which 'multilateralism is failing its most basic test.'

The Covid-19 pandemic proved collective inability to unite and make joint decisions for common good, even in the face of an immediate global emergency that endangers life, Guterres regretted.

According to him, the lack of a global response and a vaccination program to end Covid-19 is a clear and tragic example of failure.

This is a key moment, he insisted, to continue as up to now could cause the breakdown of world order. On the other hand, we can decide to change course, moving on a greener, better and safer future for all, he said.

Mr. Guterres launched the report at a meeting of the General Assembly on Friday, prefacing his remarks with a scathing overview of the parlous state of a world he described as being under enormous stress, and warning that the world risks a future of 'serious instability and climate chaos'.

And, noting the ongoing health crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the report calls for a $50 billion vaccination plan, to at least double vaccine production, ensuring that they reach at least 70 per cent of the global population in the first half of 2022.

In order to achieve these aims, the Secretary-General recommends a Summit of the Future, which would 'forge a new global consensus on what our future should look like, and how we can secure it'.