Remarks by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the 96th plenary meeting of the 79th session of the General Assembly.
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At the closing of the GA’s 79th session, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “the founders of this organization in 1945 recognized a fundamental fact. The strength of the United Nations depended on the commitment of countries to look beyond solely national interests — and to consider instead what we could achieve by standing as one. This truth is just as important today as it was eighty years ago. And just as effective.”
Informal comments to the media by Ambassador Sangjin Kim, Charge d’affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations on Climate, Peace and Security in the context of UN Peace Operations. The Ambassador is joined by Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom.
Remarks by Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the 96th plenary meeting of the 79th session of the General Assembly.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
General Assembly
Military Spending
Qatar/Israel
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Ukraine
Security Council
Haiti
Republic of Congo
Afghanistan
Education
Briefing/Tomorrow
Financial Contribution
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY
This morning, the Secretary-General delivered remarks at the closing of the 79th session of the General Assembly.
He said that this session took place during numerous challenges ranging between conflicts, divisions, inequalities, poverty, injustices, displacement, hunger and another year of record-breaking heat. Yet, this Assembly, he said, worked to discuss, debate and develop common solutions to address all of that.
The Secretary-General thanked the outgoing President of the General Assembly, Philemon Yang, as he presided over the 79th session with wisdom, skill and vision.
But, as we close the GA, another one opens.
The Secretary-General is expected later this afternoon again in the GA Hall to deliver remarks at the opening of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Mr. Guterres said he looks forward to collaborating with President-elect Annalena Baerbock.
This is an important year for all of us. It is the 80th anniversary of the UN and the visionary Charter which brought this Organization to life.
MILITARY SPENDING
Earlier this morning, the Secretary-General presented his report, “The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future”, along with High Representative for Disarmament Izumi Nakamitsu and the Acting Administrator of the UN Development Programme, Haoliang Xu.
The Secretary-General said that the report lays bare a stark reality: the world is spending far more on waging war than in building peace. In 2024, global military spending surged to a record $2.7 trillion – the equivalent of $334 for every person on Earth, he said.
Mr. Guterres said that the current trajectory is unsustainable, and a better path is within reach, but we need practical steps to rebalance. He warned that excessive military spending does not guarantee peace.
The report proposes a shift to an approach that prioritizes diplomacy, cooperation, sustainable development and disarmament over military build ups.
QATAR/ISRAEL
In remarks to the press this morning, the Secretary-General said he had just learned about the Israeli attacks in Qatar, a country that has been playing a very positive role to achieve a ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
He condemned this flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar. All parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it, the Secretary-General said.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=09%20September%202025
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)
