Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, used Thursday’s platform to champion reforms for the Security Council and global lenders, driven by developing countries’ superior growth trajectories.
He illustrated the pivot: ‘Developed economies’ global GDP share dwindles daily; emerging ones balloon in might. South-South trade vaults past North-North.’ These trends demand institutional evolution.
Post-1945 setups, Guterres argued, are relics unfit for contemporary crises. Parity in reforming the UNSC and financial power structures is essential.
Corroborating evidence from the UN’s latest economic outlook: developing economies hit 4.2% growth in 2023, trouncing developed nations’ 2.9%. India, eyeing permanent UNSC membership, roared at 7.4%.
As his final General Assembly address before tenure’s close, Guterres navigated geopolitical turbulence, spotlighting UN breakthroughs in uncharted territories.
He artfully dodged naming permanent members accused of Charter breaches via vetoes, opting for: ‘Some actions propel cooperation toward collapse, testing multilateralism.’ UN budget woes from US arrears hovered implicitly.
Unyielding, he affirmed: ‘Rest assured, we persist.’ Guterres’ blueprint envisions a revitalized UN attuned to economic rebalancing, ensuring relevance as powers like India redefine global order.