United Nations, Jan 30: UN chief Antonio Guterres cited the FTA between India and the EU as he underlined the need to support “multi-polarity”, emphasising that global problems will not be solved by “one power calling the shots”, in a veiled reference to the U.S. and China. “In the present moment, it is clear that the most powerful country in the world is the US. Obviously, we see — and many see in relation to the future — the idea that there are two poles, one centred in the U.S. and one centred in China,” Mr. Guterres said Thursday (January 30, 2026) at a press conference outlining his priorities for 2026.

He added that “if we want a stable world, if we want a world in which peace can be sustained, in which development can be generalised, and in which, in the end, our values will prevail, we need to support multi-polarity.

“We need to support a dense set of relations among different countries. And I see with a lot of positive expectations, recent trade agreements: You had the EU with Mercosur. You had EU with Indonesia. EU with India,” Secretary General Guterres said. “You had Canada with China. You had UK with China. So, it is this network in trade, this network in technology, this network in international cooperation among a progressively larger group of countries and entities in a true multipolar world that, in my opinion, can create the conditions for strong multilateral institutions and for a world in which the values that are the values of the Charter of United Nations can prevail,” Mr. Guterres said.

India and the European Union on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) sealed a landmark free trade agreement — billed as the “mother of all deals” — to create a market of two billion people, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa unveiling a transformative five-year agenda to largely leverage trade and defence in protecting the rules-based world order. The two sides also inked two crucial pacts — one on security and defence collaboration and another on mobility of Indian talents to Europe — after Prime Minister Modi hosted von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa for summit talks amid frosty ties with the U.S..

Mr. Guterres emphasised that global structures and institutions must reflect the complexity and the opportunity of the “new times and realities” where the share of global economic activity by the traditional group of developed economies is receding and emerging economies are expanding in scale, influence and confidence.

“Global problems will not be solved by one power calling the shots, nor will they be solved by two powers carving the world into rival spheres of influence,” the UN chief said, in an apparent reference to the U.S. and China.

He said that it is important to “accelerate, deliberately and with determination, multipolarity — one that is networked, inclusive by design, and capable of creating balance through partnerships in trade, in technology and in international cooperation.” Responding to a question on the Board of Peace on Gaza launched by U.S. President Donald Trump, seen as a rival to the UN Security Council, Mr. Guterres said the basic responsibility for international peace and security lies with the UN and the Security Council.

“We are talking about the Security Council, and the Security Council only talks about Gaza. Everything else is something that is different,” he said. “The Security Council stands alone in its Charter-mandated authority to act on behalf of all members in questions of peace and security. Only the Security Council can adopt decisions binding on all, and no other body or ad hoc coalition can legally require all member states to comply with decisions on peace and security. Only the Security Council can authorise the use of force under international law, as set out in the Charter.

“So, the centrality of the peace and security system lies in the UN and within the UN in the Security Council, and that is the reason why it is so important to reform the Security Council. And it’s very interesting to see that some who criticise the UN for not effective are the ones opposing the reform of the Security Council. That is the reason why the UN can sometimes not be as effective as we all want,” he said.

Dhaka, Jan 30: The US on Friday issued a “security alert” for its citizens in Bangladesh, asking them to remain vigilant and avoid crowds as political violence or extremist attacks may occur, potentially targeting rallies, polling stations, and religious sites during the election period.

In an advisory posted on its official website, the US Embassy in Bangladesh also instructed its citizens to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings.

Bangladesh will hold parliamentary elections and a national referendum simultaneously on February 12.

“During the election period, political violence or extremist attacks may occur potentially targeting rallies, polling stations, and religious sites such as churches, temples, mosques, and other places of religious significance,” the security alert said.

“US citizens should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations or rallies intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings,” it added.

The Bangladesh government has announced restrictions on transportation beginning on February 10 for motorcycles and all transportation on February 11 and 12.

The advisory said that the US Embassy in Dhaka will have limited onsite services on February 11 and 12.

It also advised US citizens to review security plans and plan for alternative travel routes while keeping a low profile.

On Friday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen met Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman and discussed upcoming elections.

“In our meeting today, I heard Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s perspectives on the upcoming elections. The United States looks forward to working with all Bangladeshi political parties to advance shared peace and prosperity,” the envoy said after the meeting.

Nearly 2,000 candidates, including representatives from more than 50 political parties and independent contenders, are vying for 300 parliamentary seats in the February 12 polls, state-owned Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.

According to police data, so far four people have been killed till Thursday since the formal election campaign started on January 22, it said.

At least 16 countries have accepted Bangladesh’s invitation to send a total of 57 election observers for the country’s 13th general election, it added.

Former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as the frontrunner in the changed political landscape in the country after the interim government disbanded deposed premier Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League last year.