Guterres Calls for Global AI Regulation and Peace in Final UN Address
António Guterres delivered his final address as Secretary-General of the United Nations on September 22, 2026. He called for robust global AI regulation and emphasized ending ongoing conflicts and restoring humanitarian access.
Guterres urged a multilateral framework for AI regulation, citing concerns over lethal autonomous weapons systems and the invalidation of human oversight in critical decision-making. He argued that AI's risks don't respect borders and therefore require a regulatory body that doesn't either.
The Secretary-General also criticized the Security Council's current design, saying it is 'unjust and indefensible' due to its lack of permanent African representation. Guterres emphasized the interconnected nature of global crises, including conflicts, climate disruption, and technological change.