Secretary-General Spotlights Nordic Leadership in Message to Political Summit

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the seventy-eighth session of the Nordic Council, in Helsinki today:

Thank you for the opportunity to address the Nordic Council as you focus on “Nordic peace mediation in a changing world order”.  Across the globe, we see divisions deepening, conflicts spreading, security concerns growing — including in your region — the UN Charter and international law violated and multilateralism put to the test.

At the same time, inequalities are widening, climate impacts are intensifying and new technologies are evolving faster than our capacity to control them.  Addressing these challenges requires solidarity, dialogue and concerted action. And your leadership can light the way.

For generations, Nordic countries have been vital partners in pushing for peace — from the Middle East, to the Sahel, to Latin America and beyond.

You also provide critical funding to sustain peace processes and strengthen peace infrastructure.  You support initiatives to train mediators, build networks, share expertise and conduct research.  And you have shown how women, youth, marginalized groups and civil society can — and must — play meaningful roles in mediation and negotiation.  I urge the international community to draw on your experience.

As the title of this session makes clear, mediation must keep pace with a world undergoing profound change.  Nordic leadership has long understood we must work to prevent conflict, build trust and advance political solutions in the face of acute — and even existential — challenges.  Let me highlight three.

First, widening inequality.  The richest 1 per cent now hold 43 per cent of global financial assets.  Meanwhile, millions struggle to access housing, healthcare, nutrition and education. Left unchecked, this growing gap is a recipe for economic, social and political strife.

The world must deliver on the Sevilla Commitment by scaling up development financing, addressing the debt crisis, reforming the international financial architecture and speeding up progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.  I am counting on Nordic leadership to keep championing this crucial agenda.

Second, climate chaos.  Failure to limit global temperature rise poses a grave risk to international peace and security.  From Somalia to the Sahel, we have seen how climate change is a threat multiplier — inflaming tensions over land, water and food; straining institutions; driving displacement; and triggering wider instability.

With the Arctic warming nearly four times faster than the global average, Nordic countries are also feeling the heat.  Yet, you have shown climate action goes hand-in-hand with peace and prosperity.  The world must follow suit — and rapidly curb emissions, speed up the renewables revolution and deliver climate justice.

And third, runaway technologies.  Artificial intelligence (AI) is a gamechanger, with massive potential to improve human lives.  But, it is evolving at a speed that has spooked many of its own creators.

I welcome the call for control of frontier AI models led by Finland and Norway.  And I urge all Member States to act quickly and collectively to ensure AI is safe, transparent and accountable — with humanity always at the centre.

Common challenges require common solutions, and Nordic leadership has never been more valuable.  Together, we can realize the power of dialogue and diplomacy.  The power to bridge divisions, resolve disputes and prevent conflicts.  The power to heal injustice, tackle climate chaos and rein in rogue technologies.  And the power to build peace for current and future generations.  I wish you a productive session, and I thank you.