UN chief António Guterres had a dire warning message for the world at Columbia University in New York on Wednesday, urging humanity to end the war against nature which has seen a collapse in biodiversity, record global warming and ocean temperature rises, and a global pandemic.

But he also said there was plenty of room for hope that a new, sustainable world can emerge from the pandemic, and an international coaltion of nations commited to net neutrality, by 2050. Here's his concluding remarks as he makes climate action the UN's top priority for the 21st Century.

The UN Secretary-General stressed the importance in the Security Council on Tuesday, of rallying the world as one to fight COVID-19, by silencing the guns in conflicts across the world. He used the example of Yemen and the urgent need to end the fighting there.

A global ceasefire has never been more important he told ambassadors.

UN Secretary-General's address to the Opening of the General Debate of the 75th Session of the General Assembly, on Tuesday, 22 September 2020.

“New York City has always been proud to host the United Nations”, Penny Abeywardena, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs told UN News.