UN Antonio Guterres: The Security Council is deadlocked

– The UN chief presented his priorities for 2024 to the General Assembly, saying the Security Council, a key instrument for world peace, is deadlocked by geopolitical conflicts.

– This is not the first time that the congregation has been divided. But now it is worst. The current dysfunction is deep and very dangerous, Guterres said. “During the Cold War, well-established mechanisms helped manage relations between superpowers,” he added.

The UN Secretary-General emphasized that “such mechanisms do not exist in today's multilateral world.” “Our world is entering a chaotic era,” he warned.

Guterres pointed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the creation of “new ways of killing” as dangers.

– There is much anger, hatred and confusion in the world today. It seems like there is a war going on every day at every opportunity. War of words. Territorial wars. He said culture wars.

Focusing specifically on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Guterres warned of a possible Israeli ground attack on Rafah. There are currently hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians who fled their homes in the northern area prior to the Israeli offensive.

“Such action would sharply escalate what is already a humanitarian nightmare, with incalculable regional consequences,” he stressed, calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and the release of all hostages.

The UN chief also called for Security Council and International Financial System reforms and the establishment of an urgent instrument to improve international responses to complex global shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.