Also known as: secretary general António Guterres · UN Secretary-General António Guterres · United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres · UN secretary general António Guterres
UN Secretary-General whose term ends January 2027, warning of financial collapse and erosion of multilateralism by powerful nations.
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June 2026
The Namibian
UN secretary general António Guterressayspast 11 years recorded as hottest on record
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“United Nations (UN) secretary general António Guterres says the warning signs of climate change are becoming harder to ignore, with the past 11 years recorded as the hottest on record.”
United Nations secretary general António Guterressayscurrent energy crisis has exposed overdependency on fossil fuels
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“United Nations secretary general António Guterres says the current energy crisis has shown an overdependency on fossil fuels and not enough use of renewables.”
UN chief Antonio Guterrescondemnsthe acts of violence and expresses solidarity with the Malian people
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“Following Saturday's widespread orchestrated attacks, United Nations (UN) chief Antonio Guterres condemns the "acts of violence" as he expresses his "solidarity with the Malian people".”
UN chief Antonio Guterrescondemnedacts of violence
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“Following Saturday's widespread orchestrated attacks, UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the "acts of violence" as he expressed his "solidarity with the Malian people".”
António Guterressaysthere is a need to address persistent legal discrimination and defend women's progress
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“United Nations secretary general António Guterres, in a statement released on Sunday to observe International Women's Day, says there is a need to address persistent legal discrimination and defend women's hard-won progress.”
Secretary General António Guterreswarnedthat continued escalation risks destabilising international peace and security
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“At the global level, the Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres warned that continued escalation risks destabilising international peace and security.”
Namibia's deputy environmental commissioner Caroline Garus-Oas says protecting natural ecosystems such as forests, rivers, oceans and wetlands is critical in addressing climate change, noting that trees and algae absorb carbon dioxide and help maintain environmental balance. She also advocates for sustainable cities incorporating climate-smart buildings, solar energy and green spaces as nature-based solutions.
Why it matters
Deputy commissioner's emphasis on nature-based climate solutions aligns with Namibia's environmental priorities and broader sustainability goals.
Namibia's deputy environmental commissioner Caroline Garus-Oas says protecting natural ecosystems such as forests, rivers, oceans and wetlands is critical in addressing climate change, noting that trees and algae absorb carbon dioxide and help maintain environmental balance. She also advocates for sustainable cities incorporating climate-smart buildings, solar energy and green spaces as nature-based solutions.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, utility-scale solar and onshore wind power now cost about US$40 per megawatt-hour globally in 2025, less than half the cost of new gas turbine plants at over US$100 per megawatt-hour, as renewable costs have fallen and fossil fuel prices have risen.
Anti-migrant marches led by activists Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and Zandile Ndlovu are staging increasingly bold demonstrations across South African cities with little resistance from authorities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the surge in threats and violence as South Africa faces pressure to intervene.
Mali's defence minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near Bamako as part of a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists across the country. The attack, launched by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda, also killed at least three of Camara's family members, and the head of the military junta was moved to a safe location after his home was targeted.
Mali's defence minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near Bamako, part of a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists across the country. The attack, claimed by al-Qaeda-affiliated militants, also killed at least three of Camara's family members.
UN Secretary General António Guterres stated on International Women's Day that women worldwide hold only 64% of the legal rights enjoyed by men, with many countries preventing women from owning property, seeking divorce, or working without spousal permission. He called for a united global effort to address persistent legal discrimination and defend women's progress.
Former Senegalese president Macky Sall has been nominated as Africa's candidate for the UN secretary general position, which will become vacant on 1 January 2027 when António Guterres's term ends. He is competing against former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and Argentinian diplomat Rafael Grossi.
Tension is escalating in the Middle East following military exchanges between the US, Israel, and Iran. The Namibian Embassy in Egypt has assured citizens in the region that their safety is a priority and advised them to exercise caution, avoid high-risk areas, and follow local authorities' instructions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the UN Human Rights Council that human rights are under "full-scale attack" as powerful nations prioritize force over international law, citing Russia's war in Ukraine and Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as examples. He stressed that this assault is "happening in plain sight" and often led by those with the greatest power.
António Guterres has warned that the UN faces an "imminent financial collapse" due to member states not paying their assessed contributions, with money potentially running out by July. The crisis has been deepened by the United States refusing to pay its contributions and withdrawing from UN agencies, forcing the organisation to return funds it has not received and cutting humanitarian programmes worldwide.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia must openly debate and declare its foreign policy position amid global tensions, cautioning that the country's current alignment with Russia and China—despite rhetoric of non-alignment—could jeopardize trade benefits and put it at odds with multilateral principles that facilitated its independence. The author contrasts Namibia's closed policy discussions with South Africa's public commitment to strengthening the UN-based multilateral order.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the BBC that the United States acts with impunity and believes its power matters more than international law, viewing multilateral solutions as irrelevant. Guterres warned that the UN's founding principles, including member state equality, are under threat, and called for reform of the Security Council to regain legitimacy and limit veto powers that he says are used to block global efforts.
Eyewitnesses in Iran describe security forces and paramilitary units opening fire with live ammunition on unarmed protesters, with credible accounts suggesting dozens to hundreds killed across multiple cities. Iran has cut internet access and barred international media from reporting freely, making independent verification difficult, though human rights groups estimate at least 648 deaths including minors.
Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade, alongside political parties, condemned the United States' military strike against Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, citing violations of international law and national sovereignty. The government reaffirmed solidarity with Venezuela based on shared anti-colonial history, though some opposition figures questioned the framing while still opposing unilateral military intervention.