United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the critical need for Security Council reform, stating it is “absolutely essential” for the institution to effectively address current global challenges. Speaking at a press conference in Japan during a visit marking 70 years of cooperation with the UN, Guterres highlighted the importance of partnerships in a world grappling with widespread conflicts, climate change, and inequality.
He noted that rising inflation and the deepening cost-of-living crisis are exacerbated by the ongoing unrest in the Middle East, which has led to soaring energy and raw material prices. Guterres called for the immediate re-establishment of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and an end to ceasefire violations to foster conditions for a political resolution to conflicts.
Uphold Freedom of Navigation and Address Global Crises
Guterres stated that mistrust and geopolitical divisions are hindering effective solutions, with countries disregarding international law with impunity. He pointed out that military spending is escalating while aid funding is decreasing, causing severe consequences for vulnerable populations worldwide. He stressed the necessity of upholding the freedom of navigation and ending all ceasefire violations to create conditions for political solutions.
Urgent Need for Security Council Reform
The Secretary-General reiterated his long-standing call for the reform of outdated international institutions. “The global problem-solving architecture — in particular, the UN Security Council and global financial institutions — are not as effective as they need to be at this challenging moment,” Guterres said. He identified the reform of the UN Security Council as the most crucial reform needed.
Addressing Legitimacy and Effectiveness Issues
Guterres highlighted a “serious problem of legitimacy and of ineffectiveness” with the current Security Council structure. The Council, composed of five permanent members with veto power (China, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia) and 10 non-permanent members, does not adequately represent the current global landscape. He advocated for expanding the number of permanent and non-permanent members to better reflect today’s world realities, noting the underrepresentation of continents like Africa and Latin America, and the limited presence of Asian countries despite their large populations.
He further underscored the need for a more equitable multilateral system capable of defending international law and holding nations accountable. Guterres affirmed the UN’s role as an indispensable platform for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human rights, emphasizing that the organization’s strength depends on the commitment of its member states.
Superpower Behavior Undermines Multilateralism
When questioned about the UN’s ability to prevent conflict, Guterres clarified that multilateralism itself is not in crisis. Instead, he pointed to the behavior of superpowers that violate international law, instigate conflicts, and utilize their veto power in the Security Council to ensure impunity. This conduct, he explained, makes it exceedingly difficult for the UN Secretariat to mitigate the dramatic increase in global conflicts.
“Because when the bad example comes from superpowers, other middle-sized powers all over the world think that they can do whatever they want, without any punishment,” Guterres stated, citing ongoing issues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa. He concluded by emphasizing that persistent external interference by certain powers in conflict-ridden countries significantly impedes the UN’s conflict prevention and mediation efforts, reinforcing the critical importance of Security Council reform.
