Secretary-General’s Remarks at the World Economic Forum

In his address to the World Economic Forum, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres proposed that “Our world is plagued by a perfect storm on a number of fronts”, including an economic crisis (involving slowdown, inflation, rising cost of living, and high debt), the lingering effects of the covid-19 pandemic (alongside ill-preparedness for the next pandemic), a growing climate disaster, and worsening violent conflicts (with cascading effects on economies, food, and energy). “All these challenges are inter-linked” and further exacerbated by geopolitical divisions (east-west and north-south) and widespread distrust of political institutions. To improve the situation, he advocates reform of international financial institutions, concerted climate action, and incentives for the private sector to work for the good.