Security Council’s legitimacy at stake as it marks its 80th anniversary, UN chief warns

NEW YORK CITY: The UN’s secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, warned on Friday that the Security Council’s “legitimacy is fragile.”

He urged member states to recommit to the founding principles of the UN Charter and take urgent action to reform the council so that it better reflects the geopolitical realities of today.

“Too often, we have seen members of this body act outside the principles of the Charter, principles we have all freely agreed to as sovereign nations,” Guterres said.

“When that happens, it not only stalls action in the moment, it erodes trust in the entire United Nations project. It also puts us all in great danger.”

Speaking from Hanoi, he was addressing a Security Council open debate convened by Russia, which holds the rotating presidency of the council this month, to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN. It was titled “The United Nations Organization: Looking Into the Future.”