Source: United Nations (video statements)
A special video by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for the commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day at United Nations Headquarters, featuring archival footage in tribute to his legacy.
AI: “Technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity” – UN Chief
Source: United Nations (video statements)
“Technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.
Guterres said today (17 Jul) that AI could be humanity’s greatest opportunity of the 21st century – or one of its greatest risks. He thanked China for convening the gathering under a theme built on partnership.
The Global Digital Compact was proof that no handful of countries or companies should govern the technology’s future, Guterres said, “Technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity. It cannot be governed by a handful of countries or a handful of companies. Every nation needs a seat at the table.”
The UN chief warned, “AI can help usher in a quantum leap across the Sustainable Development Goals. But it won’t happen if the historical injustices of the past are repeated in the technologies of the future. And yet one-third of humanity is still offline.”
He said, “Computing power, data resources and technical expertise remain concentrated. Hundreds of billions of dollars of private investment flood into artificial intelligence – while many developing countries receive just a trickle. AI risks pushing the world towards even greater inequalities … greater divides in income, in opportunity, in security … greater gaps between North and South. We cannot let that happen.”
Guterres said, “Developing countries bring enormous assets to the age of AI. Talent. Ideas. Young, dynamic populations. Every country should be able to shape this technology to its own needs: with its own skills, its own data, in its own languages.”
The UN chief called for governance anchored in international law, “Systems that cross borders need standards that cross borders. We need common approaches to testing, risk assessment, and responsibility. We need governance that is inclusive, networked, and anchored in international law. Human rights must be protected. Humans must keep control over every life-and-death decision. And no AI system should be put in a child’s hands before it has been proven safe.”
He urged AI companies to come clean on their environmental impact, “AI can help speed the energy transition – managing grids, integrating renewables, cutting waste. But its growing demands for energy, water and land must be brought into the open. I call on every major AI company to disclose the full environmental footprint of their systems – and power them with renewables by 2030.”
Guterres closed by saying, “The defining question is not whether artificial intelligence w, “ill transform the world. It will. The defining question is whether that transformation will reduce inequalities or reinforce them. Whether it will concentrate power or expand opportunity. Whether it will bring the promise of progress for every country – or only to those already at the front of the pack. This is a test of technology – and a test of solidarity.”
China, Pakistan, Middle East & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (17 July 2026) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
• Secretary-General/China
• Deputy Secretary-General
• Pakistan
• Middle East
• Lebanon
• Occupied Palestinian Territory
• Democratic Republic Of The Congo
• Venezuela
• Nelson Mandela International Day
SECRETARY-GENERAL/CHINA
This morning, in Shanghai, the Secretary-General addressed the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference. He said that Artificial Intelligence can be humanity’s greatest opportunity in the 21st century, and it could also become one of its greatest risks.
The Secretary-General underscored that the technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity, and it cannot be governed by a handful of countries or a handful of companies. He pointed out that few areas hold greater promise for our common future than the application of AI to sustainable development, but it won’t happen if the historical injustices of the past are repeated in the technologies of the future.
Also in the morning, the Secretary-General toured an exhibition of China’s MAZU meteorological AI early-warning system. In the afternoon, he attended the World Artificial Intelligence Conference Meteorological Forum. In his remarks, he noted that the Forum shows one of the clearest ways AI can serve humanity: by helping save lives.
The Secretary-General said that early-warning systems are the most cost-effective protection against climate disaster. He noted that 128 countries now have multi-hazard early-warning systems, more than double since 2015, but one-third remain unprotected.
The Secretary-General stressed that we urgently need to accelerate, and artificial intelligence can help.
Also today, the Secretary-General met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Secretary-General thanked President Xi for China’s consistent support for multilateralism and the United Nations and its activities, including peacekeeping.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed his strong commitment to UN reform, fully in line with the UN Charter and International Law, and full respect for the equilibrium among the three pillars of the United Nations activities: peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, and to enhance the cooperation with China in all of them.
The Secretary-General also held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will be arriving shortly in Sierra Leone, at the invitation of the Government, to participate in the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Summit on the Future of Regional Integration.
The Deputy Secretary-General will address the Summit and participate in discussions on the economic, development and security priorities of the region. She will reaffirm the United Nations’ strong partnership with ECOWAS and its support for regional efforts to strengthen peace and security, economic cooperation and regional integration, while accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
While in Sierra Leone, the Deputy Secretary-General will hold bilateral meetings with leaders attending the Summit and other senior officials.
She will return to New York on Monday.
PAKISTAN
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, is wrapping-up a visit to Pakistan today, which was focused on climate risk, disaster preparedness and resilience.
Today, he visited Hassanabad Nala, a flood-affected village near the Shisper Glacier in Gilgit-Baltistan, where he met residents and saw projects helping communities prepare for recurring climate-related hazards. He also visited the Hunza Solar Project, highlighting the opportunities to build resilience through clean energy.
Throughout his visit, Mr. Fletcher stressed that Pakistan is on the front line of the climate crisis, while also demonstrating practical approaches from which other climate-vulnerable countries can learn.
He called for stronger international support to help countries prepare for, and respond to, disasters.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-07-17
UN chief António Guterres calls on AI progress to help prevent climate disasters
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the ‘Dialogue on Early Warnings for All in Response to Climate Change’ at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference Meteorological Forum in Shanghai, China.
He called for accelerated progress on AI-powered early warning systems to prevent climate disasters.
Venezuela: “Thousands of families displaced & infrastructure destroyed – Presser | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
“Thousands of families have been displaced, while homes, health facilities, water systems and other critical infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed,” said Lia Poggio, Chief of Mission in Venezuela for the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Briefing reporters in New York today (16 Jul) while speaking virtually from Caracas on the aftermath of the 24 June earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, which struck seven states, Lia Poggio said La Guaira was hit the hardest among them.
IOM has launched a 12-month appeal to fund lifesaving assistance, shelter support and early recovery efforts, Poggio said.
For three weeks, she continued, IOM has worked with Venezuelan authorities, UN partners and humanitarian organizations through a coordination mechanism set up with the host government.
To date, the agency has assisted almost 7,000 people in displacement sites, Poggio noted, delivering over 10,000 services including temporary shelter, health care and psychosocial support.
“While humanitarian assistance remains essential, the response is increasingly shifting towards early recovery,” she said, citing housing, infrastructure and livelihoods as priorities “to helping families and communities move forward with dignity and hope.”
Why I’m still an obstinate optimist, w/ Allegra Baiocchi | UN Resident Coordinator | Awake at Night
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Born to Italian parents in Venezuela, Allegra Baiocchi has been on the move ever since and has lived in more than 25 countries around the world. Now UN Resident Coordinator in Mexico, she believes in the power of the United Nations to improve the well-being of all people, wherever they are.
“I am truly an optimist. I do think we can turn this around, but it does need a lot of people taking action, and so I stay awake at night trying to figure out how to get people to act.”
Formerly the UN’s chief humanitarian coordinator for western and central Africa, Allegra Baiocchi faced down overlapping deadly crises, from Ebola and war, to drought, famine and displacement. In this episode, she reflects on the highs and lows of her long and varied career, and shares how she brought up children who are as much citizens of the globe as she is.
[00:00] Introduction
[00:26] What it means to be a global citizen
[04:43] Discovering the United Nations
[07:53] Journey into humanitarian work
[11:10] Lessons from Sergio Vieira de Mello
[13:04] Facing the Ebola outbreak
[17:08] The challenge of coordinating humanitarian response
[18:53] The senseless cost of war
[21:48] Coordination on the ground towards achieving the SDGs
[24:52] Gender equality and protecting women in the digital age
[30:24] A new chapter in Mexico
[33:34] What keeps Allegra awake at night
[35:35] Raising the next generation of global citizens
[38:12] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #UnitedNations #AwakeAtNight #Mexico #DCO
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.
New Urban Agenda: Cities & Communities Need Us Now | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Speaking on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed said, “conflict displaces families into cities, climate shocks overwhelm homes and infrastructure, rising costs push housing and basic services further out of reach, and inequality becomes visible street by street. This is why the mid-term review of the New Urban Agenda reaches far beyond urban policy. It is one of the clearest ways sustainable development shows up in the lives of people on a daily basis, and it does more than look back. It tells us what cities and communities need from us now.”
Youth Mental Health Series | Goals Lounge
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Taking place just ahead of the 2026 Men’s World Cup Final, the UN Youth Office and the UN Member States Friends of Football are bringing together young leaders, changemakers, policymakers, UN entities, governments, civil society, private sector partners, athletes and advocates to celebrate football and sports as powerful drivers of youth mental health and well-being.
In the context of this celebration, the UN Youth Office and UN Office of Partnerships will bring together a select group of distinguished participants to have a conversation about youth mental health and wellbeing. This conversation follows the first dialogue convened with Member States on the 14th of May 2026, where the Group of Champions for Youth Mental Health was launched.
This discussion will strengthen, align and leverage the UN Partnerships and UN Youth shared agenda that is present in the daily lives of young people.
Youth Mental Health Champion: Tanatswa Chikaura
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Tanatswa Amanda Chikaura is a Zimbabwean PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge. Her research interests are centered on autism, mental health and suicide prevention. She is also the Founder and Director of Ndinewe, a mental health organisation in Zimbabwe, which is transforming youth mental health through mental health literacy.
Tanatswa is one of the 17 Young Leaders for the SDGs selected by the UN Youth Office who are leading efforts to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
More info: https://www.un.org/youthaffairs/en/tanatswa-amanda-chikaura
Translation of Shona by UNIC Harare and Tinashe Mbririmi.
Travels-China, Cyprus, UNIFIL & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (16 July 2026) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Secretary-General/Travels-China
Trip Announcement/Cyprus
Security Council
UNIFIL
Occupied Palestinian Territory
West Bank
MH17
Ukraine
Myanmar
Pakistan
Rwanda
Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Trip Announcement / Deputy Secretary-General
Haiti
Senior Personnel Appointment
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS-CHINA
The Secretary-General arrived in China today. Tomorrow morning, he will attend the Opening Ceremony of the World AI Conference in Shanghai. And in the afternoon, he will deliver remarks at the Opening Session of the World AI Conference Meteorological Forum.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will also have several official engagements.
TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT/CYPRUS
The Secretary-General will travel to Cyprus from 27 to 29 July, as part of his good offices mission and his strong demonstrated commitment to the Cyprus issue.
He will meet with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, as well as other stakeholders, and discuss efforts to advance the peace process and support stability on the island, including through the work of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
Further details on the programme will be shared closer to the visit.
SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council this morning held consultations on the Secretary-General’s report on resolution 1701, concerning Lebanon. The officer-in-charge of the Special Coordinator’s office in that country, Jean Arnault, briefed the Council members as well as Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix.
The Council will reconvene at 3:00 pm for consultations on Cyprus. The Head of the UN Mission in that country, Khassim Diagne, will brief.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-07-16