UN headquarters in New York. UN Secretary General: Peace is impossible without the rule of international law UN
Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking Monday at the UN Security Council’s open debate on strengthening the international rule of law, said that peace, justice and effective multilateralism depend directly on states’ compliance with their obligations under the UN Charter and international law.
He recalled that the principle of the rule of law underlies the entire system of international security created after the Second World War.
According to the head of the UN, for 80 years, international law has helped humanity avoid a new world war and mitigate the consequences of many regional conflicts. This system, he emphasized, is mandatory for all states and is based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of countries.
Blatent violations
The Secretary General recalled that in 2024, UN member states adopted the Pact for the Future, reaffirming their commitment to international law. However, today, he warned, the situation is rapidly deteriorating.
“All over the world, the rule of law is being replaced by the law of the jungle,” he said Guterres.
He pointed to “blatant violations of international law and brazen disregard for the UN Charter” – from the illegal use of force and attacks on civilian infrastructure to the denial of life-saving humanitarian aid. Such actions, he said, create dangerous precedents and undermine trust between states.
“From Gaza to Ukraine, from the Sahel to Myanmar, in Venezuela and other countries – the norms of international law are increasingly being treated like a menu, choosing only what is convenient,” the head noted UN.
Responsibility of members of the UN Security Council
Guterres emphasized the special role of the Security Council, calling it the only body endowed by the UN Charter with the authority to make decisions binding on all states on issues of peace and security. That is why, he noted, reform of the Security Council is necessary to increase its representativeness and effectiveness.
The Secretary General identified three key areas of action. are optional.” with regional organizations to prevent conflicts. Peace, he added, is impossible without investment in development, the fight against poverty, inequality and corruption.
Thirdly, Guterres emphasized the importance of independent justice and accountability. He called on states to accept compulsory jurisdiction International UN Court and ensure the independent work of the International Criminal Court.
Concluding his speech, the Secretary General also reminded of the role of the members of the UN Security Council, which, in his words “bear a special responsibility – to lead by example” in respect of compliance with the provisions of the UN Charter.