António Guterres underscores the integral connection between development and peace, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to address global inequalities and tackle conflicts through socio-economic progress
In a crucial address to the Security Council on Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised the pivotal relationship between development and sustaining peace, noting that socio-economic advances often suffer as casualties of war.
While acknowledging that development alone cannot guarantee peace, Guterres stressed its essential role, asserting, "No peace is secure without inclusive and sustainable development that leaves no one behind."
He drew parallels to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasising that progress in one area positively impacts others, while failure in one jeopardises gains across the board.
Guterres expressed concern over a global pattern where conflict-ridden countries struggle to achieve sustainable and inclusive development. Nine out of the ten nations with the lowest human development indicators in the past decade have experienced conflicts or violence.
Identifying inequalities, lack of opportunities, corruption, climate chaos, and environmental degradation, he highlighted the fertile ground such environments provide for organised crime, violent extremist groups, and terrorists, exacerbating insecurities and corroding effective governance.
Emphasising the mutually reinforcing relationship between development and conflict prevention, Guterres called for simultaneous efforts to advance peace and sustainable, inclusive development. Key steps outlined include ensuring food security, education, skill development, healthcare, social protection, and dignity for all.
Amid 85 percent of SDG targets being off track, Guterres urged urgency and ambition. Developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, face crises such as crushing debt, climate catastrophes, widening inequalities, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proposing concrete actions, including an SDG stimulus of $500 billion annually, Guterres advocated for making global institutions more representative and responsive to the needs of developing economies.
Highlighting the need for collective action, Guterres recalled the New Agenda for Peace proposed in July, urging the international community to recognise that its strength is tied to its weakest link. Looking ahead, he called on Member States to approach the Summit of the Future with solidarity and ambition, emphasising the imperative to abandon zero-sum competition logic, recommit to cooperation, and nurture the courage to compromise.
The open debate, organised by China holding the Council presidency for November, provided a platform for a broader range of voices to address specific issues on the agenda, reflecting the urgency of the interconnected challenges of development and peace.