UN Chief Warns of Global Divisions but Celebrates Historic Ocean Treaty in London
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that global cooperation faces serious threats from powerful forces. Speaking in London, he highlighted the challenges of 2025 while also pointing to progress in protecting the world’s oceans. His current term is set to end on December 31, 2025.
Guterres addressed an audience in London, where the first UN General Assembly took place in 1946. He praised Britain’s historical role in shaping the United Nations and its continued support for the organisation. The speech came during a year marked by growing divisions and strained international relations.
Despite the difficulties, Guterres cited a major achievement: the entry into force of the UN High Seas Agreement. Officially known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), it became legally binding on January 17, 2026. Over 80 countries, including China, Brazil, and Japan, ratified the treaty, creating the first framework for protecting marine life in two-thirds of the world’s oceans beyond national borders. The agreement establishes rules for conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable use of marine resources. Guterres described it as proof that global cooperation can still deliver meaningful results, even in difficult times.
The UN High Seas Agreement now provides a legal structure for ocean protection. Guterres’ remarks in London underscored both the obstacles and the potential for international collaboration. His term as secretary-general will conclude at the end of 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the organisation.
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