TOKYO / GUTERRES UNU SYMPOSIUM

Speaking at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Secretary-General António Guterres said “our world is in turmoil,” and yet, he expressed hope, as, he said, “the United Nations was created precisely for moments like this.” UNU / UNIC TOKYO

• Video Length: 00:02:39
• Production Date: 18 May 2026
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: ANTONIO GUTERRES
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY - UNU
• Subject Topical: MULTILATERALISM; UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY; UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION; SECRETARY-GENERAL
• Geographic Subject: JAPAN; PERSIAN GULF REGION
• MAMS Id: 3573689
• Parent Id: 3573689
• Alternate Title: unifeed260518b

Description

STORY: TOKYO / GUTERRES UNU SYMPOSIUM
TRT: 02:39
SOURCE: UNU / UNIC TOKYO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 18 MAY 2026, TOKYO, JAPAN

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, exterior, UNU Headquarters building
2. Wide shot, Secretary-General António Guterres walks up to the podium
3. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“From peacekeeping to peacebuilding to human security. From humanitarian assistance to sustainable development. From disarmament to climate action. From education to universal health coverage. This anniversary is a moment to look back with gratitude - and look forward with renewed determination. The need for multilateralism has never been greater.”
4. Wide shot, Guterres at the podium
5. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Our world is in turmoil. We see geopolitical divides deepening. Conflicts raging. Inequalities widening. Climate chaos accelerating. And new technologies advancing faster than our capacity to govern them. And yet, I have hope. The United Nations was created precisely for moments like this.”
6. Wide shot, Guterres at the podium
7. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“The concept of human security - which Japan has long championed - reminds us that the measure of our work must be in people’s lives. In their safety and health. In their ability to live in dignity. In their access to food, water, and sanitation. In ladders of opportunity towards a better future for themselves and their communities.”
8. Wide shot, Guterres at the podium
9. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Japan’s continued partnership will remain essential. Japan has much to contribute to the next chapter of multilateralism – as a bridge-builder, as a defender of the Charter, and as a champion of human security. For 70 years, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder to secure a better, healthier, fairer, and more peaceful world for all.”
10. Wide shot, Guterres walks away
11. Wide shot, panel discussion moderated by United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming
12. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“So, we are not only engaged in trying to find a political solution. Our special envoy has been going around. I myself have been talking to all people in the region and those that are belligerents, to see if we can once and for all, open the Strait.”
13. Wide shot, panel discussion

Storyline

Speaking at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Secretary-General António Guterres today (18 May) said “our world is in turmoil,” and yet, he expressed hope, as, he said, “the United Nations was created precisely for moments like this.”

Addressing the event "Celebrating 70: Japan-UN Cooperation, EXPO 2025 & the Future of Multilateralism," Guterres said, “from peacekeeping to peacebuilding to human security. From humanitarian assistance to sustainable development. From disarmament to climate action. From education to universal health coverage. This anniversary is a moment to look back with gratitude — and look forward with renewed determination. The need for multilateralism has never been greater.”

He said, “the concept of human security - which Japan has long championed - reminds us that the measure of our work must be in people’s lives. In their safety and health. In their ability to live in dignity. In their access to food, water, and sanitation. In ladders of opportunity towards a better future for themselves and their communities.”

The Secretary-General said, “Japan’s continued partnership will remain essential. Japan has much to contribute to the next chapter of multilateralism – as a bridge-builder, as a defender of the Charter, and as a champion of human security.”

He said, “for 70 years, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder to secure a better, healthier, fairer and more peaceful world for all.”

After a panel discussion moderated by United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming, Guterres responded to a question from a student on the Strait of Hormuz.

He said, “we are not only engaged in trying to find a political solution. Our special envoy has been going around. I myself have been talking to all people in the region and those that are belligerents, to see if we can, once and for all, open the Strait.”

The Secretary-General met with Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and expressed appreciation for Japan’s longstanding partnership with the United Nations, including as a leading supporter of multilateralism, human security, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.

The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister exchanged views on global and regional peace and security, including the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, as well as on UN reforms. The Secretary-General expressed his readiness to continue working closely with Prime Minister Takaichi and the Government of Japan to advance shared goals and a renewed, effective multilateralism.