Newsweek: U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres: My Vision for Revitalizing the United Nations
António Guterres, secretary general of the U.N.

“…Around the world, conflicts have become more complex and interlinked — producing gross violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses. … Meanwhile, climate change, population growth, rapid urbanization, food insecurity, and water scarcity are adding to the tensions and instability. The greatest shortcoming of the international community today is its failure to prevent conflict and maintain global security. As secretary-general of the United Nations, I have called for a surge in diplomacy for peace and appealed for 2017 to be a year for peace. … The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by world leaders two years ago, is a blueprint for making our world more equitable, sustainable, and livable. To implement this plan — and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals — we need to broaden the circle of action to include governments, bilateral, and international organizations, and international financial institutions. Partnerships with civil society, the business community, and others are critical to success. … For the U.N. to achieve its full purpose and potential, it too must change. It is time for us to recognize shortcomings and reform the way we work. … We face enormous global challenges. They can be solved only if we work together” (1/9).