United Nations, NY, July 11, 2025 – On the invitation of the Strategic Planning Unit within the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Dr. Mutryce Williams joined a distinguished, and dynamic expert panel comprised of UN Under-Secretary-General, and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Dr. Amandeep Singh Gill, and Mr. Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic to discuss the main findings of the 2024 UN Global Risk Report (https://unglobalriskreport.org/).
Ambassador Williams whose presentation was described as constructive and applicable to the work being done to follow-up the Report, emphasized the individual and community impacts of global risks. She focused on preparedness for global risks, especially natural hazards, giving voice to the impact of climate change, the susceptibilities, the vulnerabilities, and the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as St. Kitts and Nevis.
She began her presentation by asking, “How long does it take for one to ‘fully’ recover from a natural disaster such as a hurricane? I use the example of a natural disaster, as a representative from a Small Island Developing State, taking into consideration the adverse effects of climate change, our existing vulnerabilities, highlighting the devastating impact on our economies, culture, way of life, and just our very existence as a people.”
Ambassador Williams also shared that she stood in agreement with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who said, “Our future depends on global cooperation to address global risks. The inaugural Global Risk Report sends a clear and urgent message: no country, company, or institution can confront these global vulnerabilities alone. This report is a wake-up call – and a blueprint. It shows us where we are most exposed and how we can and must renew multilateral cooperation. It urges us to move from crisis response to prevention, from fragmentation to foresight, from division to solidarity and resilience.”
The 2024 UN Global Risk Report was written and produced under the guidance of the United Nations Executive Office of the Secretary-General to better understand and prepare for global risks. The United Nations conducted a global survey of stake holders in government, the private sector, civil society, and academia. The survey asked which risks are most important and which risks multilateral institutions are least prepared for. The Report highlights critical global vulnerabilities and emphasizes the urgent need for multilateral cooperation to address interconnected risks such as climate change, pandemics, and technological disruptions. Key findings of the Report were:
1. Global Vulnerabilities arise when institutions are underprepared for important risks; they cluster across political, technological, societal and environmental domains.
2. Many risks are already turning into crises: over 80 per cent of respondents identified mis- and disinformation, a top Global Vulnerability, as currently occurring.
3. Environmental risks are a priority across all regions: five of the top 10 most important risks are environmental.
4. Multi-government action is seen as the most effective response to mitigate global risks and overcome barriers like weak governance and lack of prioritization.
5. Four future scenarios show how our joint action in confronting Global Vulnerabilities can lead to breakdown or breakthroughs.
Ambassador Mutryce Williams holds doctorate in Public Policy Administration with a double concentration in Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace, and Homeland Security Policy and Coordination. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Advanced International Affairs with a double emphasis in Intelligence and Diplomacy and she is a Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP).
The official 2024 UN Global Risk Report launch ceremony, and panel discussion were held at the Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations on July 3, 2025. It was moderated by H.E. Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN. The 2024 UN Global Risk Report may be accessed at unglobalriskreport.org.
