'We have to choose to be hopeful’: Antonio Guterres prepares for his final UN General Assembly as chief

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has called for hope and continued international efforts towards a better world as he prepares to attend his final UN General Assembly as UN chiefIn a post on X on Sunday Guterres reflected on the global challenges facing people and urged countries not to give up on efforts to address themAs I prepare for my last UNGA as UN SecretaryGeneral Ive been reflecting on the global challenges people face In these difficult times we have to choose to be hopeful not hopeless We cannot give up fighting for a better world for all now more than ever Guterres saidAs I prepare for my last UNGA as UN SecretaryGeneral Ive been reflecting on the global challenges people faceIn these difficult times we have to choose to be hopeful not hopelessWe cannot give up fighting for a better world for all now more than ever pictwittercomFngFtJMUJpmdash Antoacutenio Guterres antonioguterres September 21 2026Guterres calls for international cooperationGuterres is attending his final General Assembly as secretarygeneral with his tenure due to conclude later this yearEarlier he called on world leaders to strengthen international cooperation as they gather in New York for the annual highlevel sessionCome together for peace dignity justice and humanity Only with international cooperation can we build a better world We should never give up on fighting for it he said in a video message posted on XHe also said dialogue cooperation and collective action were needed at a time of significant global challengesThis is my last UNGA as SecretaryGeneral and my message is clear We need international dialogue cooperation and collective action now more than ever I will not give up the fight for a better world for everyone he saidCanada highlights engagement with GreenlandMeanwhile Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said UNGA HighLevel Week had begun and highlighted Canadas engagement with GreenlandUNGA HighLevel Week begins Today I met with Greenlands Premier JensFrederik Nielsen building on our inperson meeting in February Since then Canada has continued to deepen our ties with Greenland including via our new consulate in Nuuk Our peopletopeople connections are at the heart of our partnership Well continue to work together to strengthen Arctic security Anand said in a post on XHer meeting with Nielsen comes amid increased international attention on Greenland and Arctic securityUS Denmark and Greenland reach security agreementThe interaction with Greenland also comes days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described a newly announced security agreement involving the United States Denmark and Greenland as a huge winOn September 18 Rubio said the agreement would address Washingtons national security concerns in the Arctic and keep Greenland within North Americas strategic defence areaIn a post on X Rubio said the arrangement would permanently guarantee Washingtons security interests in Greenland without cost to US taxpayersThe developments have placed Arctic security and Greenlands strategic position among the issues receiving attention during the UNGA periodJaishankar heads to New York for UNGAMeanwhile External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Zurich on Sunday while travelling to New York for Indias participation in the 81st session of the UN General AssemblyThe Embassy of India in Switzerland and Liechtenstein said Ambassador Mridul Kumar welcomed Jaishankar at Zurich airport during his transitAmb Kumar warmly welcomed Honble EAM DrSJaishankar at Zurich airport en route to his official visit to New York to participate in UN General Assembly2026 the embassy said in a post on XThe embassy added that Kumar briefed Jaishankar on recent developments including highlevel visits involving India Switzerland and LiechtensteinUNGA highlevel debate begins September 22Jaishankars visit comes ahead of the annual highlevel General Debate scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28The 81st session of the UN General Assembly is being held under the theme Restoring trust managing transformation A United Nations that delivers for all Bangladeshs Khalilur Rahman is presiding over the sessionRepresentatives from all 193 UN member states are expected to participate in the General Assembly with presidents prime ministers and senior officials set to outline their priorities and positions on major international issuesWith inputs from ANI