UN chief deplores lack of multilateral solutions

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday deplored the lack of multilateral solutions to global challenges as he opened a summit for the world body's 75th anniversary. "No one wants a world government -- but we must work together to improve world governance," Guterres said at the UN General Assembly rostrum ahead of virtual speeches by world leaders. "In an interconnected world, we need a networked multilateralism, in which the United Nations family, international financial institutions, regional organizations, trading blocs and others work together more closely and effectively," Guterres said. "We also need an inclusive multilateralism, drawing on civil society, cities, businesses, local authorities and young people." The summit comes in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic. Some 180 leaders have been invited to offer speeches by video of just up to three minutes.