As the United Nations marks 80 years since its founding, Secretary-General António Guterres sat down with CMG at the 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin to discuss the organization's enduring mission and Asia's growing influence in shaping global cooperation. The interview comes amid renewed calls for multilateral solutions to climate change, geopolitical tensions, and sustainable development challenges.
Reflections on History, Vision for Tomorrow
Guterres emphasized the UN's origins in the ashes of World War II, noting that "China's immense sacrifices and contributions during the war laid groundwork for today's multilateral system." He praised President Xi Jinping's Global Governance Initiative as "a timely blueprint for equitable international cooperation," aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
China's Evolving Contributions
The UN chief highlighted China's peacekeeping deployments and South-South cooperation programs as vital to addressing global inequalities. "From climate action to digital governance, Asian leadership is indispensable," Guterres remarked, citing the SCO Summit as evidence of regional problem-solving mechanisms gaining global relevance.
Bridging Past and Future
When asked about lessons from WWII, Guterres urged younger generations to "remember history without being trapped by it" while building institutions resilient to 21st-century challenges. He concluded by reaffirming the UN's commitment to serving "all nations and regions equally" in pursuit of shared prosperity.
