The 81st United Nations General Assembly commenced on Tuesday at the organization's headquarters in New York City. In what serves as his final address to the assembly, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres characterized the current global landscape as a "multipolar world" and stated that this shift in power dynamics is "irreversible."

During his speech, Guterres addressed the limitations of modern superpowers, noting that they are increasingly encountering the boundaries of their influence. A primary focus of his remarks was the ongoing violence in the Middle East. He explicitly called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in both Gaza and Iran, arguing that reliance on military and economic strength alone is inadequate to secure stability or peace. The Secretary-General’s address framed the current geopolitical climate as a critical juncture, urging member states to recognize the changing nature of international relations as they navigate these persistent regional conflicts.