Global powers that themselves violate international law sit in Security Council: Guterres

In a scathing commentary, UN chief António Guterres has said that global powers that themselves violate international law sit in the Security Council, as he asserted that reform of the 15-nation global body “must be an absolute priority”.

Secretary General Guterres also underscored the need for “redistribution of power.”

“Well, let's be clear. We have geopolitical divides, and in these geopolitical divides, we have powers that themselves violate international law and sit in the Security Council. And that has been paralysing the Security Council, as we know,” Mr. Guterres told reporters Wednesday (September 16, 2026).

“That is why the reform of the Security Council must be an absolute priority. It is unacceptable to have a Security Council with a composition that reflects the world of many decades ago instead of reflecting today's world."