U.N. Secretary General: The world ‘went in reverse’ in 2017

This Sunday, the Secretary General of the United Nations lamented the state of world affairs in 2017, saying that the world has “gone in reverse” after he made an appeal for peace in 2016.

“When I took office one year ago, I appealed for 2017 to be a year for peace,” António Guterres said in a videotaped message posted to the U.N.’s official website.

“Unfortunately in fundamental ways, the world has gone in reverse.”

“On New Year’s Day 2018, I am not issuing an appeal. I am issuing an alert, a red alert, for our world,” he continued, adding a warning that conflicts could become even worse in the coming year.

Guterres said that along with the threats presented by climate change, nuclear war, and worsening human rights conditions around the world, racist ideologies and xenophobia are also on the rise.

“I truly believe we can make our world more safe and secure,” he said. “We can settle conflicts, overcome hatred and defend shared values. But we can only do that together.”

“Unity is the path. Our future depends on it,” he continued, urging leaders everywhere to resolve in the New Year to “narrow the gaps; bridge the divides; rebuild trust by bringing people together around common goals.”

Watch the video below:

Featured image via screen grab

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.