Peter Pellegrini warns of declining global order at UN General Assembly

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York that the world is in a significantly worse state than a year ago due to the deepening erosion of multilateralism and the international order. He noted that there are currently more open military conflicts globally than at any time since the Second World War.

Pellegrini identified several critical challenges, including climate change, gender inequality, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. He specifically highlighted the concentration of power within major technology companies and expressed an urgent need for the European Union to discuss the regulation of AI-guided weapons, warning that such systems are already being deployed in conflicts and may possess the capability to select targets autonomously.

Furthermore, the President expressed skepticism regarding whether reforming the United Nations alone can resolve modern global issues. He suggested that instead of focusing solely on institutional reform, there should be a focus on reforming the behavior of world leaders to ensure they adhere to the UN Charter and international law.