
September 18th, 2026
UN Secretary-General António Guterres will leave his job at the end of the year.
He has worked there for almost ten years.
He is known for sad speeches about the planet.
But on Thursday he said he still sees hope.
He said this hope depends on governments working together at last.
Guterres said the world has at least three big problems.
They are artificial intelligence growing too fast, climate change moving fast, and inequality growing.
Inequality causes trouble and fighting, he said.
He also warned that a big split between countries has stopped the Security Council from working.
Powerful countries are breaking international law and the U.N. Charter, he said.
This makes people feel they can do bad things and not be punished.
He gave two examples.
One was Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The other was U.S. attacks on Iran.
He said these actions have caused death and great damage.
The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are also hurting the world economy, he said.
Food and energy prices are going up.
Interest rates are going up.
Developing countries are finding it hard to help their people.
He hopes these problems will push countries to work together.
No one can solve them alone.
Guterres said the U.N., the Security Council, the IMF and the World Bank must change.
They should show today's world and its new powers, he said.
As U.N. chief he has no army and little money.
But he can speak out and bring nations together.
He said the U.N. has no power for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.
This is because of the big splits between countries.
Still, he said he has defended the U.N. Charter.
He has spoken against human rights abuses.
He spoke against Hamas's attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
He also spoke against Israel's actions in Gaza.
He also called for countries to work together.
And he called for rules to keep AI safe.
September 18th, 2026

Google fined $463 million for breaking EU rule on location data
Google fined $463 million for breaking EU rule on location data

Alibaba in China shows new strong chip and big AI plans
Alibaba in China shows new strong chip and big AI plans

Bill Gates wants people to use AI in a ‘smart’ way as his foundation builds new language data
Bill Gates wants people to use AI in a ‘smart’ way as his foundation builds new language data

Andy Burnham looks for common ground with Trump at the UN and says the UK is a big AI player
Andy Burnham looks for common ground with Trump at the UN and says the UK is a big AI player

King Charles meets AI leaders as safety worries grow
King Charles meets AI leaders as safety worries grow

Democrats want to fight AI dangers after Trump fires people
Democrats want to fight AI dangers after Trump fires people

House passes bill to deal with data centers' effect on energy costs
House passes bill to deal with data centers' effect on energy costs

OpenAI says new AI behavior is worrying and will watch it more closely
OpenAI says new AI behavior is worrying and will watch it more closely

Huawei shows new chip tech as it races Nvidia in AI
Huawei shows new chip tech as it races Nvidia in AI