Covid, climate and conflict has worsened the world since 2017, says UN secretary-general

“The secretary-general of the UN has no power,” Mr Guterres said. “We can have influence. I can persuade. I can mediate, but I have no power.

Fri, 21 Jan, 2022 - 09:17

Edith M Lederer, AP

As he starts his second term as UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres said the world is worse in many ways than it was five years ago because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and geopolitical tensions that have sparked conflicts everywhere.

However, unlike US president Joe Biden, Mr Guterres thinks Russia will not invade Ukraine.