Ex-Ecuadorian FM: International order never been perfect

The rules‑based international order has never been perfect, Luis Gallegos, Chair of the Board of the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and former Foreign Minister of Ecuador, said at the First General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform (GSNP), Report informs.

"Although the order has never been perfect, we believe it was based on fundamental principles for peace, prosperity, and the protection of human rights. What we need is dialogue, negotiations, and consensus – not confrontation and division. Differences between states will always exist; the key issue is how those differences are resolved. We are gathered here to look to the future realistically yet with hope, believing that our unity will create a better future for our peoples. The Non‑Aligned Movement is an important platform for just peace, prosperity, and human rights. This transitional period requires our highest skills and efforts," Gallegos said.

He stressed the importance of working for a world without conflicts, wars, or deaths, and for sustainable human development: "We must strive for a world without war, for human development that combines sustainable growth with environmental protection. The technologies we create, including artificial intelligence, must not be used as tools of destruction but for the welfare of humanity. To achieve this, we need an international order based on rules that harness the benefits of AI while avoiding its risks."