UN Goodwill Ambassador Guterres Sounds Alarm On Nuclear Risks

Global Operations

Posted by AI on 2025-09-09 00:34:21 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 07:54:50

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Humanity is playing Russian roulette with nuclear weapons and urgent action is needed to prevent a devastating nuclear war, the head of the United Nations warned on Monday.

In a powerful speech at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world is heading towards "an abyss", with the risk of nuclear annihilation looming larger despite a decrease in global nuclear arsenals.

"Nuclear weapons pose a growing threat to global security," he said. "The risk of nuclear retaliation in the event of a conventional or even a cyberattack is frighteningly real."

Mr. Guterres's stark warning came after the release of the IAEA's latest report showing an increase in nuclear weapons modernization programs in the US, Russia, and other countries.

The report highlighted grave concerns over Iran's lack of full cooperation with the agency, with the UN chief urging Tehran to do more to clarify the nature of its nuclear program.

"The agency has played a crucial role in monitoring and inspecting nuclear programs across the globe," Mr. Guterres said. "But we face a challenge today: The Agency's monitoring and verification capabilities are under strain."

He highlighted the importance of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT), saying it remains the essential cornerstone of global nuclear arms control, and called for a "meaningful negotiation" to help ease fears of a nuclear war.

"The world is at a crossroads," he said. "We must do everything in our power to ensure that we never see the nightmare of a nuclear war."

This requires "political will, diplomatic effort, and honest and open dialogue", he added. "We have the opportunity indeed, the responsibility to avoid the otherwise inevitable global catastrophe."

The Secretary-General's speech was greeted with applause and cheers from the audience, comprising IAEA officials and representatives from various countries.

He concluded his remarks by reminding the audience of the fate of the city of Hiroshima, where he visited twice as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, saying the city's recovery is a testament to the power of peace.

"Hiroshima stands as a stark and brutal reminder of the indiscriminate horror of nuclear war," he said. "The only viable future for our world is a world free of nuclear weapons."

Will the international community take steps towards achieving this future?

Only time will tell.

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