At BRICS summit, UN chief calls for restoring ‘trust’ in multilateralism

By Riyaz ul Khaliq and Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Emphasizing “unity for action and unity for justice,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday said the movement “towards a multipolar world” is a “positive thing.”​​​​​​​

Addressing the ongoing BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, he, however, said: “We must urgently restore trust and reinvigorate multilateralism for the 21st century.”

“This requires the courage to compromise in the reforms that are necessary for the common good,” said Guterres.

Pointing out “existential challenges,” including climate crisis, faced by the humanity, the UN chief said the multipolarity “in itself is not enough to guarantee a peaceful or just global community.”

“To be a factor of peace, equity, and justice in international relations, multipolarity must be supported by strong and effective multilateral institutions,” he stressed.

Calling for reform of the multilateral institutions to remain truly universal, Guterres said: “We cannot afford a world with a divided global economy and financial system; with diverging strategies on technology including artificial intelligence; and with conflicting security frameworks.”

He also warned: “In a fracturing world with overwhelming crises, there is simply no alternative to cooperation.”