UN chief vows to keep pushing for two-state solution
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he will “not shut up” about the future of the two-state solution to the Palestinian issue
NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he will “not shut up” about the future of the two-state solution to the Palestinian issue, pledging to continue pushing for political progress despite global setbacks.
Speaking during the 2025 UN Reham Al-Farra (RAF) Fellowship session, Guterres warned young journalists that the world faces a “perfect storm” of armed conflicts, climate chaos, deepening inequality, and unregulated artificial intelligence.
He said he would not abandon efforts to advance a political path forward, stressing that merely avoiding a return to violence is “not enough.”
“It is absolutely essential that we move to Phase Two, and that the final result is the two-state solution. There will be no peace in the Middle East without the self-determination of the Palestinian people,” he said.
He added that even if the UN Security Council fails to act, he will not remain silent if developments move away from international law and the UN Charter.
Guterres painted a stark picture of the current global landscape, saying the world is far more dangerous today than when he took office in 2017.
He cited the Russia-Ukraine war, the “level of death and destruction” in Gaza, as well as escalating violence in Sudan, Myanmar, and the Sahel, and the spread of terrorism across parts of Africa.
He sharply criticized the Security Council, describing it as “paralyzed” and structurally outdated, with no permanent representation from Africa or Latin America and a veto system that “protects violations of international law.”
On climate change, Guterres delivered one of his strongest warnings, declaring: “My generation has failed in relation to climate action.”
He warned that the world is heading toward a temperature overshoot beyond 1.5°C, with devastating consequences for health, food security, and global stability. Current national emissions pledges, he said, amount to only 10% reductions by 2035, far below the 60% needed.
Responding to questions from journalists, Guterres said the UN is pushing for reforms to strengthen the voice of the Global South, but emphasized that progress ultimately depends on member states.
“Power is never distributed. Power is taken,” he said.
He noted that emerging economies such as Brazil, India, China, and Indonesia now account for a growing share of global output, while global governance systems still reflect the world of 1945.
Guterres also warned that cuts in development and humanitarian funding — including reductions by the United States and other major donors — have created what he called a “deep disaster” for communities facing hunger, collapsing health systems, and failing infrastructure.
He said UN agencies are consolidating supply chains, logistics, and procurement to protect as many resources as possible for crisis-affected populations.
Addressing widespread youth distrust in multilateral institutions, Guterres urged young journalists not to abandon the system.
“There is no solution to global issues without strong multilateral institutions. The answer is not to get rid of them, but to transform them,” he said.
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