Secretary‑General António Guterres, speaking from Luanda, Angola, told leaders at the African Union–European Union summit that the world is changing "at a radical rate" and urged a redesign of global institutions to match today’s realities. He called for "an interconnected multipolarity" that builds inclusive trade, development and financial links while avoiding a divided world led by two blocs.

Guterres said current global governance arrangements do not reflect today’s distribution of power and wealth, and he called for "profound reform of the global financial architecture" so that countries can access predictable financing rather than being punished for crises they did not cause. He also said African countries should be given their "rightful place in every international institution, including financial institutions and, of course, the Security Council."

On climate diplomacy, Guterres characterized the COP30 outcome as mixed: it delivered measures that he called progress — including a call to triple adaptation finance by 2035, a new just‑transition mechanism and enhanced trade cooperation — but he cautioned that consensus processes limited what was achievable and that "the gap between where we are and where science demands remains dangerously wide." "Do not give up," he told negotiators and activists, saying history and the United Nations are on their side.

Guterres also took part in G20 discussions on inclusive economic growth, critical minerals and artificial intelligence, urging major economies to use their leverage to ease suffering and promote broadly shared prosperity. He said growth prospects in Africa have dimmed because of recent crises, higher borrowing costs and rising trade barriers, and he urged policy choices that move countries beyond commodity dependence into digital, green and service economies.

The secretary‑general’s full remarks were provided to the press in transcript form, and the UN spokesperson closed the briefing by noting follow‑up events and briefings scheduled in New York.