U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who will step down after nearly a decade in the role, has warned that the world is deeply divided and that the U.N.’s most powerful decision-making body, the Security Council, is largely unable to resolve conflicts. He expressed cautious optimism that global cooperation could help reduce conflict, inequality, and the risks posed by artificial intelligence. Guterres identified three major global challenges: the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the accelerating effects of climate change, and the growing gap between rich and poor nations, which he says is fueling instability and violence around the world. Guterres pointed out that the current geopolitical climate has made it difficult for the U.N. to enforce international laws or hold powerful nations accountable. He cited the Russian invasion of Ukraine and U.S. actions against Iran as examples where major powers—both members of the Security Council with veto power—have acted without facing serious consequences. This, he said, has led to a sense of impunity, with many countries arguing that if powerful nations can break international rules, others can too. The resulting chaos has had severe economic consequences, including rising food and energy prices and increasing financial strain on developing countries. Despite these challenges, Guterres believes that the current global crises may push nations to recognize the need for international cooperation. He called for reforms of key global institutions, including the U.N., the Security Council, and financial bodies like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These institutions, he said, were created by the winners of World War II and are no longer representative of today’s world, which includes rising economic and political powers. Guterres emphasized that while the U.N. lacks its own military or intelligence capabilities, it has the power to speak out and bring nations together. As the U.N. prepares for its annual General Assembly, the AI revolution is expected to be a major topic of discussion. Guterres urged countries to work together to create international rules and oversight mechanisms for AI, which he called a “universal problem.” He also highlighted the U.N.’s financial struggles, partly due to the U.S. not paying its share of the organization’s budget. Despite these issues, the U.N. has managed to continue its operations and is implementing reforms, some of which were pushed by the Trump administration. Guterres will meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump during the assembly, hoping to find common ground on issues like peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.