António Guterres calls for legal limits "to ensure that power is governed by law"

During a speech, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said global divisions are growing, citing armed conflicts, climate change and upheaval tied to artificial intelligence. He described these as interconnected parts of one story about authority—who holds it and who is excluded. According to Guterres, peace cannot be guaranteed by technology, wealth or armed strength on their own, and he argued that combat strength should not decide people’s fate. He called for legal limits on how authority is exercised. He added that peace in this century means more than fighting ending, and that it involves self-control. Guterres also said the world should keep attention on the dire circumstances in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. The address covered multiple global crises.