"Mankind rushes to the powder keg"

Humanity, he said, is rushing towards the unthinkable - a powder keg that risks engulfing the world. In his opening speech, he warned that impunity, inequality and uncertainty regarding the global situation create an "unsustainable world".

He pointed out that he could no longer do so and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

According to him, the speed and scale of killing and destruction in Gaza is unlike anything he has seen in his years as Secretary General.

"More than 200 of our staff have been killed, yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid," Guterres said.

The international community must unite for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages and the beginning of the process towards a two-state solution, Guterres added.

Citing deepening geopolitical divisions, wars with no end in sight, climate change and the development of nuclear weapons, Guterres said humanity is "rushing towards the unthinkable - a powder keg that risks engulfing the world".

Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of unstable power relations and geopolitical divisions.

"The most important thing is to respect the UN Charter, international law, support and implement the decisions of international courts and strengthen human rights in the world. Anywhere and everywhere," Guterres emphasized.

He pointed to conflicts that are "raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight" and the global security system, which he said "threatens geopolitical divisions."

Guterres said the war in Ukraine is spreading with no indication that it will end soon.

"It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and UN resolutions. Meanwhile, Gaza is an ongoing nightmare that threatens to engulf the entire region. We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is on the brink," Guterres said.