Bishkek (GNP): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to help reshape global governance, arguing that a more multipolar world order can strengthen multilateralism and better serve developing countries. He made the remarks while addressing the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 1 September 2026.
The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security grouping founded in 2001 that now brings together 10 member states, including China, India, Pakistan, and Russia, alongside several Central Asian countries, making it one of the world’s largest regional organisations by population and geographic scope.
Speaking at the summit, Guterres described the shift toward multipolarity as a positive development that must be strengthened, calling it a condition for justice in global governance and the best support for effective multilateralism.
He noted that many international institutions still reflect the geopolitical realities of 1945 despite major changes in global power relations, and called for reform of the United Nations and the Bretton Woods system to increase the representation of developing countries. He also described the SCO as an important pillar of multilateralism, pointing to its longstanding partnership with the UN.
Building on this, the Secretary-General outlined four priorities for deeper UN-SCO cooperation. On global security, he voiced concern over continuing instability in the Middle East, appealing for restraint and respect for international law and navigational rights around the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
On Gaza, he said the ceasefire must be respected and called for full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, along with the removal of obstacles to humanitarian aid and an end to settler attacks and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
He reiterated that lasting peace requires a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine existing as sovereign, democratic states and Jerusalem serving as the capital of both. On Ukraine, he said that after more than four years of war, an immediate and full ceasefire is needed to open the way toward a just and comprehensive peace under international law.
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On financing for development, Guterres called for reform of the global financial architecture to address the debt burdening developing countries and urged multilateral development banks to expand their support. On climate action, he warned that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius limit and called for faster emissions cuts, a quicker transition to renewable energy, and greater financial support for developing countries, along with responsible management of critical minerals so producing countries benefit more from their resources.
On artificial intelligence, he said the technology must work for all countries rather than a few, which he said requires effective guardrails and more inclusive governance mechanisms.
On the margins of the summit, Guterres also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. According to a UN spokesperson, he expressed concern over the humanitarian and economic toll of the conflict in Iran and the wider region, stressed the need to resolve the crisis through dialogue with full respect for international law, and reaffirmed UN support for diplomatic efforts toward a comprehensive and durable solution.
Antonio Guterres said, “Our world is increasingly multipolar, and that is a good thing and must be strengthened.”
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
