UN Secretary-General António Guterres (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

He said in a video message that throughout 2024 hope has been hard to find, with wars causing enormous pain, suffering, and displacement, and inequalities and divisions fuelling tensions and mistrust.

“We have just endured the record of deadly heat, the top 10 hottest years on records have happened in the last 10 years including 2024. This is climate breakdown — in real time. We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose,” said Guterres.

He said hope for positive changes remained, a good example being the Pact for the Future adopted last September to try to build peace through disarmament and conflict prevention.

“Even in the darkest days, I've seen hope power change. But I pledge to stand with all those working to forge a more peaceful, equal, stable and healthy future for all people. Together, we can make 2025 a new beginning, not as a world divided. But as nations united,” according to the UN chief.

Although there are no guarantees for 2025, he said, he pledged to stand with all those who are working to forge a more peaceful, equal, stable, and healthy future for all people.