Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, introduces Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. This session aims to focus on the future and vision for the United Nations- and how we can move in the direction of a global effort for peace.

The problem

Antonio Guterres states that “we live in a dangerous world, where conflicts are becoming more and more interlinked and, in many situations, there are fragilities in states.”

“If we look at the results of globalization and technological progress and how our living conditions have improved, inequalities have also terribly increased.”

He highlighted three crucial pillars of development for the United Nations.

Peace and security

In order to try and solve conflict, Antonio Guterres suggests that we must teach governments across the globe that, “today’s wars are wars that nobody wins.”

He states that countries must come together and put an end to this.

Sustainable development

“We must address social problems through social cooperation, through governments and through the private sector,” he says.

In terms of global sustainable development and climate goals, “implementing the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals are a key development.”

The UN needs to, “engage with all member states, to show them that there is a win-win strategy” he suggests.

Human rights

With the recent migrant crisis, Klaus Schwab questions how we can effectively integrate refugee protection.

Antonio Guterres states that, “refugee protection is something that is enshrined in national law, and I feel that it is the obligation of states to grant them protection”

“We need a fresh look on migration. It is here to stay,” he says.

Partnerships

In terms of achieving these goals, “enhancement of a new generation of partnerships will create the conditions for inclusive and sustainable development,” he suggests.

“We must allow the private sector to play a role in achieving these goals. Without them, we would not have the necessary innovation. Only with a strong partnership between governments and the private sector will we create the solutions.”

In terms of the UN, Antonio Guterres stated that, "the UN is bureaucratic, it could do more with less."

He states that he has developed a plan in order to fix these imbalances, and for the future, the UN will implement change, “by doing things. Cultural changes are never possible without movement,” he concluded.