UN chief warns Ukraine and Middle East crises risk global explosion

September 17, 2026 at 07:35 AM2 min

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on September 17 that the worsening crises in Ukraine and the Middle East carry the risk of a global explosion. He said the situation deteriorates slightly every day, creating a serious risk of a catastrophic situation with devastating worldwide effects. Guterres also called on all parties to stop harming civilians and ensure safe humanitarian operations.

Key Facts

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on September 17 that the worsening Middle East and Ukraine crises carry the risk of a global explosion.
Guterres stated that the situation deteriorates slightly every day, creating a serious risk of a catastrophic situation with devastating worldwide effects.
He called on all parties to stop any actions harming civilians and to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian operations.
Guterres warned that the world cannot afford a 'race to the bottom' on AI safety amid accelerating technological development and growing risks.

Global Explosion Risk

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on September 17 that the worsening crises in Ukraine and the Middle East carry the risk of a global explosion. He said the situation deteriorates slightly every day, and when it follows that path, the world faces a serious risk of an explosion that could create a catastrophic situation with devastating worldwide effects. Guterres added that in the coming months the UN will do everything possible to respond to the emerging challenges.

Humanitarian and AI Safety Calls

Guterres called on all parties to stop any actions that harm civilians and to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian operations. He also said the world cannot afford a 'race to the bottom' on AI safety amid accelerating technological development and growing risks. Guterres noted that more and more people involved in AI development are raising alarms, warning that technology is outpacing our understanding of the risks. He added that if we believe AI development should slow down when risks become too great, we need more than good intentions.