Source: United Nations (video statements)
António Guterres’ drive to serve those less fortunate saw him rise from a volunteer in the slums of Lisbon to the highest spheres of politics, eventually taking on the world’s most important diplomatic role. Now in his final months in office, the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations shares what keeps him awake at night.
“First of all, [it’s] the enormous suffering because of all the conflicts and injustices that we have. Second, thinking about the future, the two existential threats that we are facing. One is climate change, and the other is artificial intelligence running away without control.”
Preventing wars, easing suffering, acting as the world’s moral compass, all these and more count among the formidable expectations placed on the UN Secretary-General. In this episode, António Guterres looks back on the milestones and setbacks of a long career, reflects on the personal tragedy of the loss of his first wife, and shares why his lasting hope is rooted in the promise of “We, the Peoples.”
[00:00] Introduction
[04:20] Peace and inequality
[10:15] Poverty and democracy
[13:31] Portugal’s Carnation revolution
[18:27] Prime Minister of Portugal
[21:45] Personal loss
[26:31] Refugees and UNHCR
[30:39] Faith and refugee protection
[35:53] United Nations leadership
[43:33] What keeps the Secretary-General awake at night?
[47:15] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
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About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.