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If resources become scarce, people tend to fight for them. This is increasing the number of people on the move and the number of people forced to move. They're not refugees, according to the legal definition, but they represent a major humanitarian and human rights challenge, as well as a major challenge for world politics.
Antonio Guterres
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Scarcity of resources leads to conflict and displacement among people.

This quote by Antonio Guterres highlights the critical issue of resource scarcity and its consequences on human societies. He points out that when resources become limited, individuals often find themselves in conflict over these essentials, which leads to increased displacement and migration. Even though many of these individuals do not meet the official definition of refugees, they still face significant humanitarian challenges and pose complex political issues globally.

Themes

ResourcesConflictDisplacementHumanitarianChallenge

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about climate change, a leader might say, 'As Guterres pointed out, if resources become scarce, people tend to fight for them.'

More from Antonio Guterres

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As a global society, we have the technology, resources and the know-how to make a massive difference to living standards everywhere, including for refugees.
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The world's problems transcend borders.
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Humanitarian response, sustainable development, and sustaining peace are three sides of the same triangle.
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The fact that societies are becoming increasingly multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious is good. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
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Syria has become the great tragedy of this century - a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history.
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