UN Security Council inaction linked to geopolitical divides, says Guterres

UN Secretary‑General António Guterres urged an immediate overhaul of the United Nations Security Council, warning that deepening geopolitical rifts among its permanent members are crippling the body’s ability to address pressing global crises. Speaking at a high‑level gathering of the General Assembly, Guterres highlighted the Council’s failure to act decisively on conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, the humanitarian emergency in Gaza, and the escalating climate‑related disasters that demand coordinated international response.

The Secretary‑General called for reforms that would broaden representation, limit the use of veto power, and enhance transparency, arguing that the current structure reflects a post‑World‑War II order no longer aligned with today’s multipolar reality. He cited the stalled resolutions on ceasefires, humanitarian aid, and sanctions as evidence that the Council’s paralysis is exacerbating suffering and undermining the credibility of the United Nations. Guterres also urged member states to engage in constructive dialogue to reach consensus on a reform roadmap before the next session of the Council.

Guterres concluded that without swift and inclusive changes, the Security Council risks becoming increasingly irrelevant in the face of complex, transnational threats. He called on all nations to prioritize collective security over narrow national interests, emphasizing that effective reform is essential for the UN to fulfill its mandate of maintaining international peace and security.