Multilateral cooperation remains an accepted and reliable method of managing relations between States, the President of the General Assembly emphasized today at the conclusion of the general debate of the seventy‑fourth session, as Member States exchanged their views on how to mobilize such collaboration to resolve conflict and achieve sustainable development.

The world needs stronger multilateralism to tackle its toughest challenges, from climate change and poverty eradication to abuses of human rights and arms proliferation, but its efforts cannot be at the expense of respect for national sovereignty, a bedrock principle of the Charter of the United Nations, speakers emphasized today as the General Assembly continued its annual general debate.

World leaders today spotlighted the importance of multilateralism and the responsibility of the United Nations to bring countries together, address persisting injustices, and promote a level playing field where all can develop and prosper, as the General Assembly continued its annual high-level debate.

The adverse impacts of decades-old protracted conflicts — including on human rights, sustainable growth and social cohesion — took centre stage today, as world leaders continued to address the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate.

International peace and security are gravely threatened when national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity — principles on which the United Nations was founded — are undermined and violated, world leaders told the General Assembly today as it continued its annual general debate.

Amid fears of the largest economies creating two competing worlds — each with its own currency, trade rules, financial norms and zero-sum geopolitics — the United Nations Secretary-General called today upon global leaders gathered for the General Assembly’s annual general debate to maintain a multipolar world in which universal respect for international law and multilateral institutions remains undeniable.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the opening of the seventy‑fourth session of the General Assembly, in New York today: