UNITED Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has said that multipolarity can help to bring “equilibrium” to the world.

Speaking in the run-up to the UN general assembly convening in New York next Monday, he said: “It is time for compromise for a better tomorrow. Politics is compromise. Diplomacy is compromise. Effective leadership is compromise.”

He noted that the general assembly would meet at a time of climate emergency, new conflicts, soaring cost of living and rising inequality.

Mr Guterres said: “People are looking to their leaders for a way out of this mess. Yet in the face of all this and more, geopolitical divisions are undermining our capacity to respond.

“A multipolar world is emerging. Multipolarity can be a factor of equilibrium, but it can also lead to escalating tensions, fragmentation and worse.”

For this new and complex world order to function, there must be strong and reformed institutions based on the UN charter and international law, Mr Guterres told a press conference on Wednesday.

He added: “If we want a future of peace and prosperity based on equity and solidarity, leaders have a special responsibility to achieve compromise in designing our common future for our common good.

“Next week in New York is the place to start.”