Global Institutions Must Reflect Today’s Realities, Secretary-General Tells Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Urging Stronger Multilateralism

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in Bishkek today:

President Sadyr Zhaparov, thank you for your kind invitation and wonderful hospitality and organization.

Our world is increasingly multipolar.  That is a good thing and must be strengthened.  Multipolarity is a condition for justice in global governance and international relations.  And multipolarity is the best support for effective multilateralism and for a United Nations at the service of all without double standards in line with the Charter.

Power relations are changing, but multilateral organizations still essentially reflect 1945 and its situation.  We must reform our multilateral institutions, including the United Nations and the Bretton Woods system, to reflect today’s realities, and increase the representation and influence of developing countries to build a just world order.

In this context, the United Nations values enormously our long-standing collaboration with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, an important pillar of multilateralism.  I see four areas to deepen our partnership where global governance is at stake.

First — global security.  The conflicts in the Middle East have had far-reaching effects.  Agreements and ceasefires are constantly violated, and strikes continue.  I appeal for maximum restraint and for agreements and international law to be respected.

The world needs a peaceful, just and durable settlement that also safeguards international navigational rights and freedoms, including in and around the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and restores stability and confidence.

In Gaza, the ceasefire must be respected and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict fully implemented.  Obstacles undermining humanitarian relief must be immediately removed.  In the occupied West Bank, settler attacks and settlement-expansion must end.

There will only be peace with a two-State solution:  Two independent, sovereign, democratic States — Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem/Al Quds as the capital of both States — in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

After more than four years, it is high time for a full and immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.  This would open the door to negotiations towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with international law, including the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.

Second — financing for development.  We must reform the global financial architecture to introduce justice and equity and seriously address the debt that is strangling so many developing countries.  Multilateral development banks must be bigger, better and bolder to support them.

Third — climate action.  The world is set to overshoot the 1.5°C temperature limit.  To make this small and temporary, we must slash emissions and accelerate the transition towards renewables, while supporting affected communities and workers.

Climate action requires climate justice — guaranteeing much higher financial support for developing countries.  And critical minerals must be managed responsibly and sustainably, with increased added value in producing countries.  No more plundering.

Fourth — artificial intelligence (AI) should benefit all countries.  That requires guardrails.  And I’m grateful for your support in establishing an Independent International Scientific Panel and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance in the UN to give all countries a voice.

Thank you for lending your leadership to find global solutions to these global challenges. And the UN will be entirely at your service.