Guterres warns UN Security Council paralysis worsens global crises for vulnerable nations

Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that the world is slipping into a deeper crisis as a “dramatic geopolitical divide” paralyses the United Nations Security Council, leaving the most vulnerable countries in dire straits. Speaking at the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Secretary‑General linked the paralysis to the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the conflict sparked by the United States and Israel over Iran, saying the superpowers’ repeated violations of international law are eroding the council’s authority.

The warning comes at a time when the Security Council’s five permanent members are locked in mutual distrust. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the escalating tensions in the Middle East have exposed the council’s inability to act decisively. Guterres said the stalemate encourages midsize powers to act with impunity, believing they can escape consequences. He added that wars are multiplying and becoming more complex, a trend that threatens the council’s relevance, which he described as still reflecting a World War II‑era order.

Guterres highlighted the human cost of the two wars. The conflict in Ukraine has choked the Black Sea, disrupting exports of grain, fertiliser and energy. At the same time, attacks on oil installations and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al‑Mandeb are tightening global fuel supplies. The combined effect is soaring food prices, higher fuel costs and accelerating inflation worldwide. While richer nations can absorb rising interest rates, people in developing countries face a desperate situation as energy, food and fertiliser become unaffordable.

The Secretary‑General’s term ends on 31 December 2026, and his successor will inherit a UN in need of reform. Candidates such as IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, former Senegalese president Macky Sall and Ecuadorian diplomat María Fernanda Espinosa are already in the mix. Any new leader will need the backing of at least nine Security Council members and must avoid a veto from any of the five permanent powers before the General Assembly can confirm the appointment. The outcome will shape whether the UN can revamp its security architecture and restore its capacity to manage global crises.