UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning about two escalating global threats: the climate crisis and the unregulated expansion of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the 55th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Guterres called for urgent and unified action from governments and the private sector to address these unprecedented risks to humanity.
Guterres acknowledged the transformative potential of AI but cautioned against the dangers of leaving it ungoverned. He stressed the need for international collaboration and highlighted the Global Digital Compact adopted by the United Nations as a roadmap for responsibly harnessing digital technology. He emphasized that AI must be developed and deployed in ways that support development, social progress, and economic growth for all.
The UN Chief also urged private sector leaders to remain committed to their climate pledges and called on governments to fulfill their promises of creating comprehensive national climate action plans this year. He underlined the critical need for economy-wide solutions to combat the worsening climate crisis.
At the same forum, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for urgent reforms in social media governance across the European Union to combat misinformation and cyber harassment. Sanchez proposed stronger enforcement of the Digital Services Act and expanded powers for the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency to ensure accountability in the digital space.
Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo announced the creation of the world’s largest tropical forest reserve. The Kivu to Kinshasa Green Corridor Reserve will protect over 550,000 square kilometers of forest in the Congo River Basin. Tshisekedi described the initiative as a groundbreaking step that combines environmental preservation with economic development, aiming to transform natural landscapes and improve the livelihoods of millions of citizens.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, preparing to assume the ASEAN chairmanship, expressed optimism about the future of the 10-nation bloc. He highlighted Malaysia’s success in green energy and high-tech manufacturing as examples of the benefits of closer regional collaboration. Anwar praised the unique spirit of cooperation among ASEAN leaders and stressed the importance of regional integration in driving sustainable growth.
The World Economic Forum 2025 brought global leaders together to address pressing challenges, with a clear focus on tackling the climate crisis, ensuring responsible AI governance, and fostering sustainable economic development.