In London, UN chief warns of ‘powerful forces’ undermining international cooperation

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday warned that “powerful forces” are aligning to undermine international cooperation, during a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the first-ever United Nations General Assembly.

Guterres, whose term as head of the organization ends on December 31, spoke at London’s Methodist Central Hall, where representatives of 51 countries gathered on January 10, 1946, for the inaugural session of the General Assembly. The venue was chosen at the time because the UN’s headquarters in New York had not yet been built.

Opening his address, the UN chief expressed his “gratitude” to the United Kingdom for its “decisive role” in the creation of the United Nations and for remaining “such a strong pillar of multilateralism.”

He then reflected on the state of the world, saying that 2025 had been “an extremely difficult year for international cooperation and United Nations values,” citing the acceleration of “climate chaos” and the “trampling” of international law. At the same time, he said, “we see powerful forces aligning to undermine international cooperation.”

“Despite these rough seas, we continue to move forward,” Guterres added, pointing to the entry into force on Saturday of the high seas treaty, which he described as “an example of a model of modern diplomacy.” He noted that “these quiet victories of international cooperation, wars defused, famines averted, vital treaties concluded, do not always make newspaper headlines.”

Addressing members of civil society in attendance, he urged them to step up their engagement. “We need you more than ever,” he said.