The UN is determined to press ahead with its mission to build a better, more sustainable world despite escalating wars, deepening economic hardship, and the accelerating climate crisis, Secretary-General António Guterres has declared.
In his annual report released Thursday ahead of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Guterres said the challenges of today make the UN’s role more vital than ever.
“The present report demonstrates that despite enormously trying times – indeed, precisely because of them – we can and must keep pushing for the better world that we know is within reach,” he said.
He reaffirmed the UN’s core commitments: achieving peace, fostering sustainable development, and upholding human rights.
Guterres stressed that the UN continues to pave the way for a fairer global future, ensuring that digital technologies, humanitarian initiatives, and diplomatic processes are directed towards the benefit of all people.
The report painted both a sobering and resolute picture of the UN’s operations in 2024.
On one hand, the organisation coordinated a massive \$50 billion humanitarian appeal targeting nearly 200 million people in need.
Of this, \$25 billion was mobilised, enabling urgent aid to reach 116 million individuals across 77 countries.
Food assistance, healthcare, and shelter were provided in some of the world’s toughest conflict zones.
Yet the year also carried a devastating toll: 373 aid workers lost their lives, making 2024 the deadliest year on record for UN staff and humanitarian partners.
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Guterres paid tribute to their sacrifice, reaffirming the UN’s unwavering commitment to stand with the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Diplomacy for peace remains central to the organisation’s mission. Despite rising threats to global stability, UN mediation and conflict-prevention efforts continued to protect hundreds of thousands of civilians.
In countries such as Sudan, UN-led peace talks and state-building efforts provided pathways to stability.
The UN Peacebuilding Fund allocated over \$116 million across 32 countries, advancing national peace plans with a strong emphasis on gender equality and inclusion.
Partnerships with regional bodies, including the African Union, further strengthened the global peace architecture.
The Secretary-General highlighted the 2024 Summit of the Future as a turning point in multilateralism.
The summit produced the Pact for the Future, a landmark agreement aimed at revitalising international cooperation and delivering practical solutions for people and the planet.
Among its commitments were reforms to global governance structures, including a more representative UN Security Council and an expanded role for developing nations in decision-making.
For Guterres, these steps underscore the UN’s ability to adapt and remain relevant at a time of profound upheaval.
“We will renew our efforts to achieve peace, foster sustainable development and defend and uphold human rights, for all of humanity,” he said.
As global crises mount, the UN report makes clear that the organisation sees itself as both a lifeline for millions and a platform for hope — determined to prove that international cooperation is still the best path toward a more just and sustainable future.
