UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the principles of the UN Charter face profound strain due to rising global conflicts, geopolitical divisions, and erosion of international law [1, 2]. He warned the current number of conflicts is the highest since the United Nations was founded, with intense violence in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan marked by external interference such as drone attacks targeting civilians [1, 2].
Core UN principles like sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, and the prohibition of force are increasingly violated with impunity spreading, Guterres said [1, 2]. Deepening mistrust among major powers hinders the UN Security Council’s ability to act with unity and purpose. "This Council often fails to act with unity and purpose," he stated [2].
Global military spending has reached historic highs, while funding for development and humanitarian needs faces sharp cuts, according to the secretary-general [1]. Rapid advances in technology, including artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons, outpace the international community’s ability to regulate their use [1]. Human rights are receiving deliberate, strategic setbacks that threaten civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights worldwide. "When human rights fall, everything else falls with them," Guterres said [1].
Inequality, heavy debt, and inadequate financing make sustainable development goals increasingly unreachable. The accelerating climate crisis acts as a "threat multiplier" worsening instability and tensions [1].
Guterres called for urgent reform of the Security Council, criticizing the exclusion of Africa from permanent representation as a historic injustice that undermines the council’s legitimacy and effectiveness [1]. He also highlighted the need for system-wide UN reforms focused on better peacekeeping, regional cooperation, greater inclusion of women and youth, overhauling international financial structures, and stronger governance of AI technologies [1].
He voiced concern over risks of escalations in Ukraine due to recent Russian attacks and Israeli military operations in Lebanon [2]. Guterres stressed that political will and leadership in the Security Council are essential to uphold the UN Charter, restore trust, and make the UN a genuine forum for peace, international law, and security [1]. "We now face the highest number of conflicts since the founding of the United Nations, and there is growing external interference," he said [2].
Guterres delivered these remarks during a high-level open debate at the UN Security Council on May 26, 2026 [2].
