UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for global unity to make 2024 a year of building trust and hope. The UN chief released a video message for the New Year on Thursday.

Guterres expressed a strong sense of crisis, saying, "2023 has been a year of enormous suffering, violence and climate chaos."

He said, "Our planet is in peril," adding, "2023 is the hottest year on record. People are getting crushed by growing poverty and hunger. Wars are growing in number and ferocity."

The UN chief went on to say that "pointing fingers and pointing guns lead nowhere." He called on the world to come together across divides, saying, "Humanity is strongest when we stand together."

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