In his message for New Year 2025, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that "we should make the new year a time of kindness for humanity. It is evident that expecting anything hopeful has become increasingly difficult."
Reflecting on 2024, he remarked that "hope has been hard to find," as wars have led to immense pain, suffering, and displacement, while inequalities and divisions have exacerbated tensions and distrust.
He also officially reported that we have just experienced a decade of devastating heat.
The Secretary-General highlighted that the ten hottest years on record have occurred in the past decade.
"This is a climate crisis unfolding in real time. We must change course before it's too late," he emphasized.
“In 2025, countries must put the world on a safer path by dramatically slashing emissions, and supporting the transition to a renewable future. It is essential — and it is possible.”
Mr. Guterres said that even in the darkest days he has “seen hope power change.”
In this regard, he saluted activists of all ages who are raising their voices for progress, as well as “humanitarian heroes overcoming enormous obstacles to support the most vulnerable people.”
The Secretary-General said he also sees hope in developing countries fighting for financial and climate justice, and in the scientists and innovators breaking new ground for humanity.
He stressed that the Pact for Future, adopted last September by UN Member States, is a new push to build peace through disarmament and prevention.
Other aims include reforming the global financial system, pushing for more opportunities for women and youth, and ensuring that technologies “put people over profits and rights over runaway algorithms”.
Here, he also underlined the need to always stick to the values and principles enshrined by human rights, international law and the United Nations Charter.
The Secretary-General concluded by stating that there are no guarantees for what lies ahead in 2025.
He pledged to stand with all those working to forge a more peaceful, equal, stable and healthy future for all people.
“Together, we can make 2025 a new beginning,” he said. “Not as a world divided. But as nations united.”
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
