UN chief warns world leaders of 'an age of reckless disruption and relentless human suffering'
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United Nations (AP): With global peace and progress under siege, the United Nations chief challenged world leaders Tuesday to choose a future where the rule of law triumphs over raw power and where nations come together rather than scramble for self-interests.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN's founders faced the same questions 80 years ago, but he told today's world leaders at the opening of their annual gathering at the General Assembly that the choice of peace or war, law or lawlessness, cooperation or conflict, is “more urgent, more intertwined, more unforgiving.”
“We have entered in an age of reckless disruption and relentless human suffering,” he said in his annual “State of the World” speech. “The pillars of peace and progress are buckling under the weight of impunity, inequality and indifference.”
But despite all the internal and external challenges facing the UN, he and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock pleaded with its members not to give up. “If we stop doing the right things, evil will prevail,” Baerbock said in her opening remarks.
Looking broadly at the changing world, Guterres said it is becoming increasingly multi-polar – certainly a nod to rising economic powers China and India but a slap to the US insistence on superpower status. The UN chief said a world of many powers can be more diverse and dynamic but warned that without international cooperation and effective global institutions there can be “chaos.”
President Donald Trump insisted in a nearly hour-long speech that the US has the strongest borders, military, friendships “and the strongest spirit of any nation on the face of the earth.” He boasted, “This is indeed the golden age of America.”
As for the U, he told the assembly chamber that the 193-member world body failed to help him end and alleviate conflicts which he said many believe merit the Nobel Peace Prize.
“All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter,” and not follow up, he said as he portrayed the UN as an ineffectual institution, from its policies to even its escalators. One of them had stopped unexpectedly as he and first lady Melania Trump were riding it toward the Assembly hall, and his teleprompter also wasn't working.
A UN official said the United Nations understands that someone from the president's party who ran ahead of him inadvertently triggered the stop mechanism on the escalator. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the White House was operating the teleprompter for the president.
Trump reiterated that the UN has “tremendous, tremendous potential” but now delivers “empty words – and empty words don't solve war.”
But his tone shifted at a meeting with Guterres soon after. “Our country is behind the United Nations 100%,” Trump told the UN chief. “I may disagree with it sometimes, but I am so behind it because the potential for peace at this institution is great.”
Guterres said the first obligation of world leaders is to choose peace, and without naming any countries, he urged all parties -- including those in the Assembly chamber – to stop supporting Sudan's warring parties.
He also didn't name Israel but used his strongest words against its actions in Gaza, saying the scale of death and destruction are the worst in his nearly nine years as secretary-general, and that “nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
While Guterres has repeatedly said only a court can determine whether Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, he referred to the case South Africa brought to the UN's highest court under the genocide convention by name – and stressed its legally binding provisional measures, first and foremost to protect Palestinian civilians.
Since the International Court of Justice issued that ruling in January 2024, Guterres said, killings have intensified, and famine has been declared in parts of Gaza. He said the court's measures “must be implemented – fully and immediately.”
Israeli-Palestinian conflict takes centrestage
With global support for a Palestinian state growing, Israel's war in Gaza is taking centrestage. But humanity's myriad conflicts, rising poverty and heating planet will also be in the spotlight.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan began his speech voicing regret at the absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was denied a visa by the US.
He said he was standing at the assembly podium “for our Palestinian brothers and sisters whose voices are being silenced” while recognition of the state of Palestine is increasing is increasing. He thanked all countries that have done so and called on those that haven't to do so “as soon as possible.”
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto also gave strong support to the Palestinians and warned the assembly that “Human folly, fuelled by fear, racism, hatred, oppression and apartheid threatens our common future.”
“Every day we witness suffering, genocide and a blatant disregard for international law and human decency,” the head of the world's most populous Muslim nation said. “In the face of these challenges, we must not give up. … We must draw closer, not drift further apart.”
The General Assembly's big week of meetings began Monday with events including a conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Tuesday's speakers also include Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Jordan's King Abdullah II, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Da Silva — speaking first, under a longtime tradition dating to when Brazil was the only nation that volunteered to lead off — worried aloud that the UN's authority was waning.
Geopolitical problems keep getting more complex
While the debate's theme is “Better Together,” observers can expect a rundown of ways in which the world is falling apart.
Gaza already has seized attention at the General Assembly. Monday's conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, focused on garnering support for the longstanding idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Mission operations key to space success: ISRO chief Narayanan
Bengaluru, Apr 8 (PTI): ISRO Chairman V Narayanan on Wednesday highlighted the importance of mission operations in ensuring success, calling it key to India’s expanding space programme.
He was addressing a gathering of scientists, industry experts, and students at the three-day international conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS-2026), themed 'Innovative Operations for Smart and Sustainable Space Mission Management–Next Generation'.
"Mission operations are crucial, especially for long-duration ones. This is an important domain," Narayanan said.
Welcoming delegates from leading global space agencies, including Roscosmos, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the French space agency, Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), the ISRO chief said the conference marked a significant milestone, as it brought together international expertise, startups, and the broader space ecosystem on a common platform.
"This is not just another conference—it is quite a major global gathering with participation from many countries, experts, startups, and ecosystem partners," he said.
Narayanan pointed to the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, noting that the "historic landing" near the Moon’s south pole was the outcome of sustained teamwork and operational precision.
He credited the leadership and continuous involvement of senior scientists in mission control, saying their contribution remained indispensable during key phases.
The ISRO chief also recalled the challenges faced after the Chandrayaan-2 mission and said the subsequent success demonstrated India’s technological resilience.
"After the partial setback of Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 had to be perfect," he said, adding that the achievement had earned global recognition.
Tracing the evolution of India’s space programme since its inception in 1962, Narayanan said the country has accomplished a wide spectrum of missions spanning launch vehicles, scientific exploration, and satellite operations.
He added that while rockets operate for a brief duration, spacecraft require continuous monitoring and control over several years.
"While a rocket functions only for about 15 to 25 minutes, it must generate tremendous energy to place the spacecraft into orbit. However, the spacecraft itself must operate for years—sometimes from two to 15 years," he said.
The ISRO chairman said even minor errors in command execution could jeopardise an entire mission, and commended engineers, software teams, and planners for their role in sustaining mission health.
Narayanan stressed the importance of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud-based systems in transforming mission operations.
He also cited key milestones achieved since the previous conference, including space docking experiments, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, and the Aditya-L1 solar mission, noting that each required advanced operational strategies.
On human spaceflight, he described the Gaganyaan programme as a "defining step" for India’s ambitions.
He added that preparations were progressing towards the first uncrewed mission.
Speaking to reporters later, Narayanan reiterated the long-term nature of mission operations and its significance across mission lifecycles.
"A launch vehicle works only for about 20 to 25 minutes, but mission operations must continue for a long time," he added.
Narayanan explained that communication satellites require continuous monitoring for up to 15 years, while interplanetary missions demand sustained operational control over several months.
He said the SMOPS-2026 conference would focus extensively on advancements in this domain.
"Around 400-plus papers will be presented and discussed. This will be useful for the student community, startup companies, and engineers working in this field," the ISRO chief said.
Responding to queries on the Gaganyaan programme timeline, Narayanan said ISRO was proceeding in a phased manner.
"Before proceeding with the crewed mission, three uncrewed missions are planned. At present, we are working on the first uncrewed mission," he said.
Narayanan said further details would be announced at an appropriate time. On the challenges involved, he pointed to the complexities of developing human-rated systems and integrating numerous technologies.
"We have to human-rate the launch vehicle. There are also many new developments involved, such as the crew escape system, environmental control and life-support systems, and the interface between humans, machines, and software," he said.
Narayanan described the programme as a "coordinated national effort" involving multiple laboratories.
When asked about the procurement of critical systems, he said, "The process is underway."
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