Macron urges world to choose UN over ‘law of the jungle’

French President Emmanuel Macron called Tuesday (September 22, 2026) for countries to recommit to international laws and the UN system over a resurgent "law of the jungle."

Mr. Macron, giving his last speech to the UN's signature annual diplomatic gathering as president, also railed against the humanitarian situation in Gaza while calling for a moratorium on strikes against civilian and energy targets in the Ukraine-Russia war .

"The question put to us, in very simple terms, is whether we want to live in this state of nature, with a kind of return to the law of the jungle, or in a civilized international society," he said.

"My message is to stand firm. Do not yield to the situation which is developing...The rhetoric of defeat that is giving way to abuse of power by empires, threatening the sovereignty of some nations," Mr. Macron said.