8 hrs ago
Guterres Calls Security Council Reform Essential Amid Global Power Shifts
António Guterres said the United Nations Security Council is not working well enough.
He argued that some powerful countries break international rules while holding seats on the council.
Because countries disagree, the council often cannot act.
Guterres said this can make other countries believe they can break rules without punishment.
He wants the council to better represent the world as it exists today.
He also said emerging economies now have greater influence than they did when many global institutions were created.
Guterres called for changes to the Security Council and the Bretton Woods system.
He said these changes could help international institutions promote peace, development, and human rights.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said some powers that violate international law also sit on the Security Council.
He said geopolitical divisions have paralyzed the 15-member council and contributed to global impunity.
Guterres called reform of the Security Council an absolute priority because its composition reflects an earlier era.
He said changing global economic power requires a redistribution of power in multilateral institutions.
Guterres identified Security Council and Bretton Woods system reform as especially essential.
- Who
- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
- What
- He called for urgent reform of the 15-member United Nations Security Council and other multilateral institutions.
- Where
- At United Nations Headquarters.
- When
- He made the comments on Wednesday, ahead of the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session; the General Debate begins September 22.
- Why
- Guterres said the council's outdated composition and geopolitical divisions have caused paralysis and weakened enforcement of international law.
Key facts
- Security Council size
- 15 nations
- Proposed priority
- Reform of the United Nations Security Council
- Main problem identified
- Geopolitical divisions and institutional paralysis
- Power shift
- Emerging economies are increasing their share of global GDP while developed countries' share declines
- Other reform target
- The Bretton Woods system
- General Debate
- Begins September 22
- Guterres's tenure
- His second five-year term ends in December 2026
Quotes
Antonio Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General
“The lesson that I would take away is that when we have a world that is becoming more and more multipolar, it is essential to reform the multilateral institutions to be able to make those institutions effective in relation to the promotion of peace, development, and human rights that are the three pillars of the UN.”
m.rediff.com
“Well, let’s be clear. We have geopolitical divides, and in these geopolitical divides, we have powers that themselves violate international law and sit in the Security Council. And that has been paralysing the Security Council, as we know”
freepressjournal.in
m.rediff.com
Sources
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