United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, addressing the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, warned leaders that worsening climate-linked disasters are eroding hard-won development gains and intensifying health risks, particularly for the world’s poorest. “Across the world, lives and livelihoods are being ripped apart and sustainable development gains left in tatters as disasters accelerate,” he said, urging stronger international cooperation, reforms to global governance bodies and the inclusion of developing nations in the oversight of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. On the summit sidelines, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Guterres to discuss the remarks and wider UN priorities. The gathering brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and five newer members—Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—representing more than half the world’s population and about one-third of global GDP.