Security Council paralysed, but UN is not broken: Guterres

NEW DELHI, Sept 13: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said the United Nations is not broken despite the paralysis of its Security Council, which he attributed to divisions among the world’s major powers.

The divisions among the superpowers have created a global culture of impunity, allowing mid-sized powers to act without sufficient restraint, Guterres said.

Despite the Council’s inability to act effectively on major international crises, the UN continues to carry out vital humanitarian and peacekeeping work around the world, he said.

Guterres has called for an overhaul of global governance institutions, particularly the Security Council, arguing that they need to reflect current global realities rather than the power structures established in 1945, The Hindu reports.

He said the major powers must recognise the limits of their power and work towards a more peaceful world. Their divisions, he argued, are contributing to instability and creating space for other countries to act with impunity.

Guterres also praised India’s mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting the importance of “bridge-builders” in a world where trust between countries is in short supply.

He said countries capable of bringing opposing sides together have an important role to play in addressing global conflicts and rebuilding trust. The UN is also continuing to defend the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation in key global waterways, according to Guterres.�" TH