Geopolitical divides fueling UN Security Council inaction, Guterres warns
News Source
β’Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:55:49 +0000
π° What Happened
UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for a reform of the Security Council. He spoke at a news conference on Wednesday. He blamed big powers for the body's failure to act.
Guterres said some countries that break international law also sit on the council. That has left the council stuck, he said. He wants power shared out more fairly, because today's power balance no longer matches the real world.
He also raised Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine and AI. He said Middle East peace needs a two-state solution. He said the UN would be glad to host three-way Ukraine talks if the key sides agree.
π The Backstory
The Security Council has 15 members. Five of them hold permanent seats and can block any decision with a veto. That rule has been in place since the UN was founded in 1945.
Reform ideas have been discussed for decades. Countries such as Brazil, India, Japan and Germany want permanent seats too. But the current veto holders are not keen to give up that power.
Critics say the veto has stalled action on Ukraine and Gaza. Guterres has warned about the council's paralysis before. On Wednesday he tied that failure to the growing split between major powers.
π― Why It Matters
When the world's top peace body cannot agree, wars and abuses keep going. Ordinary people in those places pay the price. A stuck council also makes shared threats like climate and AI harder to tackle.
UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for a reform of the Security Council. He spoke at a news conference on Wednesday. He blamed big powers for the body's failure to act.
Guterres said some countries that break international law also sit on the council. That has left the council stuck, he said. He wants power shared out more fairly, because today's power balance no longer matches the real world.
He also raised Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine and AI. He said Middle East peace needs a two-state solution. He said the UN would be glad to host three-way Ukraine talks if the key sides agree.
The Security Council has 15 members. Five of them hold permanent seats and can block any decision with a veto. That rule has been in place since the UN was founded in 1945.
Reform ideas have been discussed for decades. Countries such as Brazil, India, Japan and Germany want permanent seats too. But the current veto holders are not keen to give up that power.
Critics say the veto has stalled action on Ukraine and Gaza. Guterres has warned about the council's paralysis before. On Wednesday he tied that failure to the growing split between major powers.
When the world's top peace body cannot agree, wars and abuses keep going. Ordinary people in those places pay the price. A stuck council also makes shared threats like climate and AI harder to tackle.