Antonio Guterres seems to take purpose on the US, which not too long ago slashed its contribution, telling the UN to ‘adapt or die’.
Printed On 15 Jan 2026
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has lashed out at world leaders he accused of turning their backs on worldwide cooperation amid “self-defeating geopolitical divides” and “brazen violations of worldwide legislation”.
Addressing the UN Basic Meeting on Thursday, the UN secretary-general slammed “wholesale cuts in growth and humanitarian assist”, warning that they have been “shaking the foundations of worldwide cooperation and testing the resilience of multilateralism itself”.
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“At a time after we want worldwide cooperation essentially the most, we appear to be the least inclined to make use of it and put money into it. Some search to place worldwide cooperation on deathwatch,” he stated.
Final annual speech
The secretary-general, who will step down on the finish of 2026, held off naming offending nations, however appeared to seek advice from deep cuts to the budgets of UN businesses made by america underneath the “America First” insurance policies of US President Donald Trump.
Whereas different nations have additionally reduce funding, the US introduced on the finish of final 12 months that it will be allocating solely $2bn to United Nations humanitarian help, representing a small fraction of the main funder’s earlier contributions of as much as $17bn.
Trump’s administration has successfully dismantled its main platform for international assist, the US Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID), calling on UN businesses to “adapt, shrink or die”.
Setting out his final annual listing of priorities as secretary-general for the 12 months forward, Guterres stated the UN was “completely dedicated in the reason for peace in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and much past and tireless in delivering life-saving assist to these so determined for assist”.
The UN chief insisted humanitarian assist be allowed to “move unimpeded” into Gaza, stated no effort needs to be spared to cease the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and urged a resumption of talks to carry a couple of lasting ceasefire in Sudan.
These three lethal, protracted conflicts have come to outline Guterres’s time on the helm of the UN, with critics arguing the organisation has proved ineffective at battle prevention.
The organisation’s prime decision-making physique, the Safety Council, is paralysed due to tensions between the US, Russia and China, all three of that are everlasting, veto-wielding members.
