UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that the foundations of the global order are under serious threat, cautioning that respect for international law is increasingly being replaced by raw power and unilateral action.
Addressing an open debate at the United Nations Security Council, Guterres said the rule of law remains essential to global peace and stability, but stressed that commitments made by states are often not reflected in their actions.
He said the international community had pledged to uphold legal obligations in good faith, yet violations of international norms continue to multiply. According to Guterres, selective adherence to the law has become common practice, weakening the credibility of global institutions.
Pointing to conflicts and crises across multiple regions — including Gaza, Ukraine, the Sahel, Myanmar and Venezuela — he said international law is increasingly treated as optional rather than binding. He warned that unlawful use of force, attacks on civilian infrastructure, human rights abuses, obstruction of humanitarian aid and unconstitutional seizures of power are becoming disturbingly routine.
“These actions are carried out with little consequence,” Guterres said, adding that such behaviour sets dangerous precedents and encourages further disregard for legal obligations.
He underscored that the Security Council holds unique authority under the UN Charter to take decisions binding on all member states and to authorise the use of force when necessary. No other body or coalition, he said, carries the same legal mandate on matters of international peace and security.
Guterres also renewed calls for reform of the Security Council to strengthen its effectiveness and legitimacy, arguing that accountability is essential to restoring faith in the international system.
He stressed that lasting peace cannot be achieved without justice, calling for stronger support for international accountability mechanisms and for an end to impunity for serious violations of international law.
