During the closing remarks of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 9, 2025, Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the unprecedented challenges currently facing humanity. Addressing the assembly, he highlighted the tumultuous global climate, ongoing conflicts, deepening inequalities, poverty, injustices, displacement crises, hunger, and record-breaking heatwaves as signs of a world in distress.
Guterres acknowledged the collective efforts of the assembly in confronting these issues, noting that progress was achieved under the leadership of the outgoing President of the session, His Excellency Philémon Yunji Yang, Prime Minister of Cameroon. The Secretary-General praised Yang’s leadership as “wisdom, vision, and skill,” underscoring his role in fostering multilateral cooperation and amplifying Africa’s voice on the world stage.
He recounted some of Yang’s significant initiatives, including presiding over the Summit of the Future, which led to the creation of the Pact for the Future. Guterres remarked that the President “helped usher in the Pact for the Future and its implementation through a series of dialogues with Member States.” The President also rallied nations around critical issues such as ending child labor, controlling the proliferation of small arms, and upholding international humanitarian law.
Moreover, Yang spearheaded efforts to promote multilingualism within the General Assembly by launching a dedicated task force. Guterres expressed gratitude for Yang’s dedication, stating, “I want to thank you once again for your advice, guidance, and commitment to our organization and its values.”
Looking ahead, the Secretary-General expressed anticipation for working with the incoming President-elect, Annalena Baerbock, emphasizing the importance of continued global collaboration. “I look forward to collaborating with your successor — President-elect [German Foreign Minister Annalena] Baerbock— as we continue seeking solutions to global problems,” he declared. He added that this cooperation is especially vital in the context of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the UN and the enduring relevance of its foundational Charter.
Reflecting on the organization’s origins, Guterres recalled the insight of its founders in 1945, who recognized that the United Nations’ strength lies in nations’ willingness to transcend narrow national interests and unite for common goals. “The founders of this organization in 1945 recognized a fundamental fact,” he stated. “The strength of the United Nations depended on the commitment of countries to look beyond solely national interests — and to consider instead what we could achieve by standing as one.”
He affirmed that this principle remains vital today, asserting, “This truth is just as important today as it was eighty years ago. And just as effective.”
He concluded with a call to action, urging the international community to carry forward the spirit of unity, rebuild trust, and continue striving for peace and tangible results for all people worldwide, especially as the UN marks its 80th milestone.
In closing, Guterres expressed hope for a future rooted in collective effort and shared responsibility: “Let’s carry this spirit forward, and ensure we continue rebuilding trust and delivering results and peace for all people, everywhere.”
Meanwhile, in a media address to press members earlier today, the Secretary General condemned what he termed a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar”, following a recent Israeli attack on the Middle Eastern territory.
Guterres stated clearly that the current trajectory of world events is untenable and called on world leaders to invest “at least as much in fighting poverty as we do in fighting wars.”
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Full speech (as presented):
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
—
REMARKS AT THE CLOSING OF THE SEVENTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
New York, 9 September 2025
[as delivered]
Mr. President of the General Assembly, Madam President-Elect,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for joining us as we close this 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
This session took place during a profoundly tumultuous moment for the human family.
Conflicts, divisions, inequalities, poverty, injustices, displacement, hunger and another year of record-breaking heat…
Together, this Assembly faced these challenges and worked to discuss, debate and develop common solutions to address them.
All of these milestones were achieved through the leadership of the outgoing President of this 79th session — His Excellency Philemon Yang.
He presided over the General Assembly with wisdom, vision and skill, while working to forge multilateral solutions and providing a powerful voice for Africa.
One of his very first acts as President was to preside over the Summit of the Future.
He helped usher in the Pact for the Future and its implementation through a series of dialogues with Member States.
He also rallied countries together across a number of signature events to address issues that are close to his heart.
From ending child labour, to addressing the impact of small arms and light weapons on development, to the importance of upholding international humanitarian law.
He also led the launch of a task force to advance multilingualism in the General Assembly.
Mr. President, I want to thank you once again for your advice, guidance and commitment to our organization and its values.
I look forward to collaborating with your successor — President-elect Baerbock — as we continue seeking global solutions to global problems.
And to do so in this important year — the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the visionary Charter which brought it to life.
Excellencies,
The founders of this organization in 1945 recognized a fundamental fact.
The strength of the United Nations depended on the commitment of countries to look beyond solely national interests — and to consider instead what we could achieve by standing as one.
This truth is just as important today as it was eighty years ago.
And just as effective.
There is much to do, and the road ahead is uncertain.
So as we mark our 80th anniversary, let’s carry this spirit forward, and ensure we continue rebuilding trust and delivering results and peace for all people, everywhere.
Thank you.
First it was the League of Nations, The came The United Nations. Why are we being misled, by the creators of this so-called world bodies which never achieved what they were created to do, when will all this deception end as all the major institutions on this planet.