World is suffering from bad case of ‘trust deficit disorder’: UN chief

United Nations, September 25 

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday warned that the world is suffering from a bad case of “trust deficit disorder” where polarisation is on the rise and cooperation among nations is more difficult as he appealed to the global leaders for renewed commitment to a rules-based order.

Secretary-General Guterres, giving his second address as the UN chief to the world leaders from the iconic lectern in the General Assembly hall, painted a stark picture of the chaos in international order, saying cooperation among countries is less certain and more difficult, and divisions in the Security Council are stark.

World leaders from 193 UN member states, including US President Donald Trump, listened to Guterres as he voiced concern over the paradoxes facing the globe today.

Trump has been very critical of the United Nations and his administration has withdrawn from key UN institutions such as the Human Rights Council and the landmark UN pacts such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

“Our world is suffering from a bad case of ‘trust deficit disorder’. People are feeling troubled and insecure. Trust is at a breaking point. Trust in national institutions. Trust among states. Trust in the rules-based global order. — PTI