UNITED NATIONS, Jan 29: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized on Thursday that global challenges cannot be addressed by a single power and underscored the necessity for a sustainable, just peace rooted in international law.
“Global problems will not be solved by one power dictating terms, nor by two powers dividing the world into competing zones,” said Guterres during a news conference marking the beginning of his 10th and final year in office.
When questioned about the “one power” or “two powers” referred to in his statement, Guterres clarified: “It’s evident that the most influential country is the United States. The notion of two poles, one in the US and the other in China, was my second reference.”
Guterres emphasized the importance of supporting multipolarity for a stable global environment where peace is sustained, development is widespread, and values prevail. His remarks followed the recent launch of the Board of Peace by US President Donald Trump, which aims at cementing a Gaza ceasefire and potentially expanding its role, raising concerns among global powers.
The UN chief reaffirmed that only the UN Security Council possesses the legal authority to sanction the use of force to address international peace and security threats. He defended the UN Charter by stating that no other entity can legally bind member states to peace and security decisions.
Guterres warned of the undermining of international law, with increasing disregard for the UN Charter. He stated that the Security Council’s authority to authorize force is uniquely mandated by the UN Charter.
His comments come amid geopolitical tensions, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Taliban’s return to Afghanistan, conflict in Sudan, the Israeli war in Gaza, and US actions in Venezuela.
Guterres cautioned that impunity, geopolitical divisions, and weakened multilateral institutions are destabilizing the world. “Reckless actions are provoking dangerous reactions,” he said, exacerbated by geopolitical divides and an epidemic of impunity.
Highlighting the human toll, he warned that impunity fuels conflicts, mistrust, and enables spoilers. The reduction in humanitarian aid is compounding despair, displacement, and fatalities.
Addressing climate change and technology, Guterres noted that actions increasing planetary temperatures provoke severe reactions like storms and wildfires. He added that unregulated technologies lead to instability.
Speaking amid a financial crisis at the UN due to cuts in contributions by the US, Guterres initiated a reform task force, UN80, to enhance efficiency.
Despite challenges, Guterres affirmed the UN’s dedication to promoting peace founded on international law and addressing root causes. He also emphasized the importance of governance in artificial intelligence to prevent instability from unchecked technological power.
