The United Nations secretary-general fears that the world is "sleepwalking into a wider war".
Antonio Guterres fears that the world is on the brink of a global war
Antonio Guterres has suggested that the war in Ukraine has undermined global solidarity and trust in a gloomy speech at the UN general assembly.
Guterres told diplomats in New York: "We have started 2023 staring down the barrel of a confluence of challenges unlike any in our lifetimes."
The UN chief pointed out that top scientists and security experts had moved the Doomsday Clock to just 90 seconds to midnight last month - the closest it has ever been to signalling the annihilation of the human race - and is taking it as a warning sign.
He said: "We need to wake up - and get to work.
"The prospects for peace keep diminishing. The chances of further escalation and bloodshed keep growing.
"I fear the world is sleepwalking into a wider war. I fear it is doing so with its eyes wide open."
Guterres referenced other threats to peace, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Afghanistan and urged all countries to recommit to the UN Charter.
He said: "If every country fulfilled its obligations under the (UN) charter, the right to peace would be guaranteed."