UN Chief Says People Are Looking to Leaders for Action and a Way Out of the Current Global 'Mess'

UNITED NATIONS (AP) Leaders of a world fractured by war, climate change and persisting inequality gather under one roof Tuesday to hear the U.N. chief summon them to take united action on humanitys huge challenges and to start delivering their own assessments on the most global of stages.

People are looking to their leaders for a way out of this mess, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said ahead of the annual gathering of presidents and premiers, ministers and monarchs at the General Assembly.

He said the world needs action now not merely more words to deal with the worsening climate emergency, escalating conflicts, dramatic technological disruptions and a global cost-of-living crisis that is increasing hunger and poverty.

Yet in the face of all this and more, Guterres said, geopolitical divisions are undermining our capacity to respond.

This years week-long session, the first full-on meeting of world leaders since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel, has 145 leaders scheduled to speak. Its a large number that reflects the multitude of crises and conflicts.