United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the launch of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2019, at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Xie E)

"In responding to COVID-19 and all our current global challenges -- from climate change to terrorism and disarmament -- we require unity and solidarity," said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

UNITED NATIONS, June 10  -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic must be a wake-up call for greater multilateral economic cooperation and health care solidarity.

"COVID-19 is exposing the fragility of our world. Despite the enormous scientific and technological advances of recent decades, a microscopic virus has brought us to our knees," Guterres said in his video message to the Forum of Small States.

"But the fragility exposed by the virus is not limited to our health systems. It affects all areas of our world and our institutions," he said.

"The fragility of coordinated global efforts is highlighted by our failed response to the climate crisis. The fragility of our nuclear disarmament regime is shown by the ever-increasing risk of proliferation. The fragility of our web protocols is laid bare by constant breaches in cybersecurity, as cyber warfare is also already happening -- in a lawless international environment," the UN chief added.

"COVID-19 must be a wake-up call," he said. "It is time for an end to this hubris. Our deep feelings of powerlessness must lead to greater humility."

Speaking of the global response to the pandemic, the secretary-general said that "we have seen such a widespread and damaging spread of the pandemic in large part because our multilateral system is not strong enough."