Dear Editor,

The year 2023 has been one of enormous suffering, violence, and climate chaos. Humanity is in pain. Our planet is in peril.

This year is the hottest on record. People are getting crushed by growing poverty and hunger. Wars are growing in number and ferocity. And trust is in short supply.

But pointing fingers and pointing guns lead nowhere. Humanity is strongest when we stand together.

The year 2024 must be a year for rebuilding trust and restoring hope. We must come together across divides for shared solutions for climate action, for economic opportunity and a fairer global financial system that delivers for all.

Together, we must stand up against the discrimination and hatred that are poisoning relations between countries and communities. And we must make sure new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, as a force for good.

The United Nations will keep rallying the world for peace, sustainable development, and human rights.

Let’s resolve to make 2024 a year of building trust and hope in all that we can accomplish together.

I wish you a happy and peaceful new year.

António Guterres

Secretary general

United Nations