United Nations Secretary-General Guterres delivered his 2026 New Year speech on the 29th, calling on world leaders in the new year to ‘choose people and the planet, not suffering’.
Guterres stated that as humanity enters the new year, the world stands at a crossroads, filled with chaos and uncertainty, facing division, violence, the climate crisis, and the systematic trampling of international law, straying from the fundamental principles that bind the human family together.
He pointed out that in 2024, global military spending soared to 2.7 trillion US dollars (about 10.95 trillion ringgit), an increase of nearly 10%, equivalent to the entire economy of Africa. At the same time, the intensity of global conflicts has reached levels unseen since the Second World War.
Guterres urged the international community to clarify priorities in the new year.
He emphasized that a safer world starts with greater investment in poverty reduction, not waging war. The world has enough resources to improve people’s lives, heal the planet, and ensure a peaceful and just future. Humanity’s future depends on the courage to take collective action.
He called on everyone to join hands and strive for ‘justice, for humanity, for peace’ in the new year.