António Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations, said that an American retreat from the world posed great risks on many issues, including climate change, international conflicts and the refugee crisis.
UNITED NATIONS by SOMINI SENGUPTA New York Times— The United Nations secretary general warned on Tuesday that an American retreat from the world posed great risks on many issues, including climate change, international conflicts and the refugee crisis, as he announced a visit to Washington to urge members of Congress to support the United Nations.
“When someone leaves space, that space is always occupied by others,” the secretary general, António Guterres, said in answer to a question at an hourlong news conference at United Nations headquarters in New York. Mr. Guterres said that if the United States was not engaged in global issues and international relations, “it will be unavoidable that other actors occupy that space.”
According to Japan Times, the U.N. chief stressed that he is not afraid to stand up to President Donald Trump, citing his vocal opposition to the U.S. leader’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. He said the mobilization of U.S. business and civil society in support or the climate deal is “a signal of hope that we very much encourage.”
