United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a strong appeal to the UN Security Council, urging its members particularly the five permanent members to set aside their divisions and revitalize multilateral efforts for global peace and security.
Speaking during an open debate on multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes, Guterres emphasized that the Security Council must rediscover the cooperative spirit that once guided it through even the most challenging periods in history.
“Despite a complex global agenda, and even in the darkest days of the Cold War, this Council served as a platform for collective dialogue and action,” he said. “It helped prevent a third world war, enabled peacekeeping missions, and allowed humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need.”
He called on Council members to “summon this same spirit” by keeping communication lines open, listening in good faith, and striving for consensus in the face of deepening geopolitical tensions.
Highlighting the disconnect between the Council’s current structure and today’s global realities, Guterres also reiterated his longstanding call for reform. “This Council must reflect the world of today, not the world of 80 years ago,” he stressed, advocating for a more inclusive and representative body that can better address the evolving challenges of international peace and security.
In addition to reform, the Secretary-General underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, particularly in conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives. He also reminded member states of their obligations under the UN Charter, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law.
As the United Nations approaches its 80th anniversary, Guterres urged a renewed commitment to diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution — principles enshrined in the founding Charter of the organization.
“Now is the time to reawaken the multilateral spirit of peace through diplomacy,” he concluded, warning that global peace cannot be sustained if the Security Council remains mired in division.
The open debate comes at a time of heightened global tensions, including ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises, underscoring the critical role of a united and effective Security Council in maintaining international peace.
