Overview
- Speaking to the General Assembly, he condemned geopolitical rifts, violations of international law, and declining support for development and humanitarian programs.
- He urged unimpeded humanitarian access in Gaza, pressed for efforts to halt the fighting in Ukraine, and called for renewed talks toward a ceasefire in Sudan.
- He voiced deep concern over violent repression in Iran ahead of an emergency UN Security Council meeting scheduled for later Thursday.
- He did not name specific countries, though reporting linked his critique to steep U.S. reductions in UN humanitarian funding, with Al Jazeera citing a drop to $2 billion from prior levels reported as high as $17 billion.
- He warned that Security Council action remains constrained by rifts among the United States, Russia, and China, and he flagged risks from AI abuse and extreme wealth concentration, noting the top 1% hold 43% of global financial assets.