United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made notable remarks about the current structure of the UN Security Council and the increasing violations of international law.
Answering questions from journalists ahead of the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Guterres said geopolitical divisions among major powers were seriously affecting the functioning of the Security Council.
“The Security Council is paralyzed”
Guterres said some major powers that violate international law also hold seats on the Security Council, arguing that this weakens the Council’s decision-making capacity.
The UN secretary-general said the Security Council was tasked with maintaining international peace and security, but that it could not act effectively in many crises because of the current geopolitical divisions.
“A climate of impunity is emerging”
According to Guterres, the failure of major powers to comply with the rules of international law sets a negative example for other countries as well.
Guterres argued that this situation strengthens the belief among countries that “if major powers violate the rules, why shouldn’t we?” and said it fuels a climate of impunity in which international law, international humanitarian law and human rights law are violated.
Call for Security Council reform
Guterres said the UN Security Council must be reformed, describing this as an “absolute priority.”
Guterres said the Council’s current structure reflects the global balance of power from decades ago, adding that the economic, demographic and geopolitical realities of today’s world must be reflected more strongly in international institutions.
“It does not reflect today’s world”
The UN secretary-general argued that developing countries in particular must be more strongly represented in international decision-making mechanisms.
According to Guterres, the failure to change the Security Council’s current structure is one of the reasons for the deadlock facing the institution.
Remarks came ahead of the UN General Assembly
Guterres made the remarks just before the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where world leaders will gather in New York.
According to the United Nations’ official calendar, the 2026 high-level week is being held from September 18 to 28. International peace and security, ongoing wars, international law and the future of the multilateral system are expected to be among the key issues on the agenda.
