United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the UN Charter and to intensify efforts to protect civilians amid escalating conflicts across the globe. Speaking about the current international landscape, Guterres framed the moment as a pivotal test of whether power will be exercised within the bounds of international law or outside of it.

Addressing global tensions, Guterres highlighted the fragmentation of the international system, characterized by rising geopolitical rivalry, transactional diplomacy, and declining multilateral cooperation. He emphasized the need for a balanced and representative United Nations that could serve as the foundation for renewed multilateralism.

Focusing specifically on the Middle East, Guterres warned of the severe humanitarian toll resulting from ongoing conflicts. He urged an immediate cessation of hostilities to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need, underscoring last year’s International Court of Justice ruling that mandated UN access to fulfill its responsibilities in Gaza. He also criticized the continuation of violence, displacement, and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, describing these developments as severely undermining prospects for peace and raising concerns about possible ethnic cleansing.

Turning to Ukraine, Guterres condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion as a blatant violation of the UN Charter, noting the devastating impact on Ukrainian sovereignty. At the same time, he expressed concern over retaliatory attacks in parts of Russia targeting civil infrastructure such as homes, energy, water systems, and transportation networks, which have broader implications for global food and energy supply chains.

Guterres brought attention to the compounding global challenges posed by a predicted severe El Niño, which he said is intensifying hardships for people worldwide by driving up costs for essentials such as energy, food, and insurance.

Despite criticisms and financial constraints, Guterres defended the United Nations as a critical institution where powerful actors can be held accountable. Acknowledging shortcomings, he conceded that the Security Council’s exclusion of permanent African representation was unacceptable in the 21st century.

On a positive note, Guterres announced that the UN had achieved gender parity within its workforce for the first time, framing equality not as an aspiration but as a deliberate choice. He urged governments, businesses, parliaments, and peace processes to follow the UN’s example in embracing gender equality as a matter of principle and action.