UN chief warns of a ‘wider war’

Counting the number of threats that the world is facing, UN chief Antonio Guterres said that from runaway climate catastrophes to rising nuclear threats, the world is facing huge challenges.

New Delhi, Feb 8: Showing his concern over the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned the global community that the way things are shaping up, there could be a 'wider war'. Elaborating further on why he believes so, he said that the world is facing a convergence of challenges which are not what he has seen in his lifetime.

He expressed his fear of a wider war as the situation seems escalating further. The UN chief's concerns have come at a moment when it is complete one year of Ukrainian crisis. Exactly one year ago Russian forces entered Ukraine and the country is now planning a massive onslaught for a decisive victory.

Several reports citing the Ukrainian establishment have come that massive Russian encampment is taking place for a blitzkrieg. Although there does not seem to be a clear end to the Ukrainian crisis, its continuation would further damage the global equations. Especially, as the world is divided into two camps, it could shape up into a global conflict.

Total global catastrophe

Citing some survey on the state of the world in 2023, Guterres said that 'total global catastrophe' is what has come from that. Counting the number of threats that the world is facing, the UN chief said that from runaway climate catastrophes to rising nuclear threats, the world is facing huge challenges.

He also mentions the widening gulf between the world's haves and have-nots which, though have always been there, is expanding at the larger scale. The "epic geopolitical divisions", according to him, are undermining global peace. He emphasized that due to these divisions global solidarity and trust has seen a huge dent.

Change mindset for global peace

Guterres has, however, sought an urgent address of the issue from the 193 members of the UN and appealed to them to change their mind set on decision-making. He stresses that the nations must not look for short-term but work towards long-term goals for the issues that the world is facing.

Amidst all the issues and divisions, Guterres did not forget to talk about the human rights that are the major casualty. He also appeals to the global community that since 2023 is also the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a thought must be given on how to work so that freedom, justice and peace is achieved and maintained.