Guterres Calls On UN Security Council To Unite And Overcome Divisions For Lasting Peace

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the UN Security Council to overcome divisions that hinder peace efforts. He emphasised the need for cooperation among council members, especially permanent ones, to advance intergovernmental negotiations. Guterres highlighted the importance of building on the UN General Assembly's work and the "Pact for the Future" to achieve meaningful action.

Guterres stressed that the world expects the Security Council to take decisive steps to end conflicts and alleviate human suffering caused by wars. He called for a spirit of cooperation and compromise, which has historically helped bridge differences within the Council. This approach is essential for fulfilling its peacekeeping mandate effectively.

The Secretary-General noted that eight decades after its inception, the United Nations remains a crucial platform for promoting peace, sustainable development, and human rights. He pointed out that today's world faces numerous crises requiring multilateral responses. The "Pact for the Future," adopted by the UN General Assembly last September, aims to strengthen global governance in the twenty-first century.

Guterres explained that this Pact is fundamentally about committing to peace in all its dimensions. It highlights addressing root causes of conflicts and tensions while recognising sustainable development as vital for lasting peace. The Pact also calls for reforms in the Security Council to reflect current geopolitical realities.

The Secretary-General emphasised that the Security Council should be expanded and made more representative of today's world rather than reflecting an outdated structure from 80 years ago. He advocated for improving its working methods to make it more inclusive, transparent, efficient, democratic, and accountable.

Guterres concluded by stating, "Multilateral cooperation is the beating heart of the United Nations. Guided by the solutions in the Pact for the Future, multilateralism can also become an even more powerful instrument of peace. But multilateralism is only as strong as each and every country's commitment to it."

He urged all Member States to continue enhancing global problem-solving mechanisms. These mechanisms should be updated to be fit for purpose, people, and peace. The call is clear: strengthen multilateralism to address contemporary challenges effectively.

With inputs from WAM