Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Guterres Urges Urgent Security Council Reform Amid Global Power Shift
António Guterres said the United Nations Security Council is not working well enough.
He said some powerful countries break international rules while also belonging to the council.
Disagreements between major powers can stop the council from taking action.
Guterres warned that this may make other countries think they can break rules without punishment.
He wants the council to represent the world as it exists today.
He also said emerging economies are becoming more important in the global economy.
Guterres called for changes to the Security Council and the Bretton Woods system.
He said stronger international institutions are needed to support peace, development, and human rights.
António Guterres said powers that violate international law are members of the United Nations Security Council.
He said geopolitical divisions have paralyzed the 15-member council and contributed to global impunity.
Guterres called Security Council reform an absolute priority because its composition reflects an earlier era.
He argued that changing global economic power requires a redistribution of power in multilateral institutions.
He identified Security Council and Bretton Woods system reform as especially essential as the world becomes more multipolar.
- 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.
- 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.
- Where
- At United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- Why
- Guterres said geopolitical divisions, an outdated institutional structure, and unequal power distribution have weakened the ability of multilateral institutions to act effectively.
- Security Council size
- 15 nations
- Main concern
- Geopolitical divisions have paralyzed the Security Council
- Proposed priority
- Urgent reform of the Security Council
- Power shift
- The share of global GDP held by developed countries is declining while the share held by emerging economies is increasing
- Other reform target
- The Bretton Woods system
- General Debate
- The 81st session's General Debate begins September 22
- Guterres's tenure
- His second five-year term as secretary-general ends in December 2026
