Secretary-General Antnio Guterres on Fridaywarned that thefragile legitimacy of the Security Council could endanger global peace if it remains gridlocked and fails to fulfil its primary purpose

Mr Guterres was addressing ambassadors in the iconic chamber in New York onUnited Nations Day, marking 80 years since its founding He spoke via video link from the capital of Viet Nam, Hanoi, during a robust open debate on how the UN navigates an uncertain future

As the UNs primary body for maintaining international peace and security, the council wields significant power, including the authority to impose sanctions and authorize military action

Five of its 15 members have a permanent seat and were granted veto power under theUN Charter

While the Council has played a central role in peacekeeping, conflict resolution and upholding international law, its veto system has often stalled action and sparked criticism

The bodys structure is viewed by many countries and top officials as unrepresentative, leaving regions like Africa and Latin America without a permanent voice

Invoking those who have looked to the council over 80 years to end wars, Mr Guterres said that the privilege to sit at this table carries a duty above all to honour the faith of those people, he said Without aSecurity Councilfit for purpose, the world is in grave danger

Debate over fundamentals

Presiding over the council for October, Russia praised the UNs achievements but criticised the actions of Western governments, while elected (non-permanent) member Guyana, said the body was unrepresentative, advocating for greater and meaningful global representation

The United States focused on operational reform, accountability, and called for a merit-based selection of the next Secretary-General who takes the helm in January 2027 emphasising the primacy of national sovereignty and transparency in the selection process

The US representative called for an end to a selection process based on regions taking it in turns, arguing it was time to choose from a global roster of candidates

UN Photo/Manuel ElasSecretary-General Antnio Guterres (on screen) addresses Security Council members

A UN for the weak, not the powerful

The UN chief painted a vivid picture of how Council decisions can impact citizens worldwide:

The Security Council is not about hegemons and empiresIt is about parents who have lost their children, refugees flung far from their homes, soldiers who have sacrificed their limbs

In every shadow of this Chamber, you are surrounded by the ghosts of the dead But beside them stands something else the hopes of the living

He urged Council members to listen to those hopes

Listen closely and you will hear the cries of your citizens who rally for peace; the whispers of families who long for safetyThe United Nations emblem does not bear the laurel wreath of a victor, but the olive crown of a peacemaker

But its legitimacy is fragile

Mr Guterres highlighted the Councils successes over eight decades, from helping Cambodia emerge from genocide to supporting South Africas transition from apartheid and deploying missions in Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, and Liberia

Yet its legitimacy remains fragile, he stressed, noting thatviolations of theUN Charterby some Member States erode trust and risk global stability

He called for and expanded membership to better reflect the worlds demographics, including permanent representation for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean

Mr Guterres also encouraged discussions on proposals to limit the use of the veto

UN Photo/Manuel ElasA wide view of the Security Council as Secretary-General Antnio Guterres (on screen) addresses members

Russia: Divisive Western powers

Russias Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia praised the UNs achievements but cautioned against the actions of Western powers

In an effort to maintain its waning influence, the West divided the world into us and them democracies and autocracies a group of those who are chosen, and those who are violating their imposed order, he said

As a result, many of the UN Charters principles remain concepts, not a reality Adventures from the Iraq invasion and Colour Revolutions to the recent invasion of Iran have only led to tragedy, he said

Guyana: Reform now

Guyanas Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett echoed calls for reform, describing the current configuration of the Council as unrepresentative

The Security Council must be reformed Notwithstanding the expansive breadth of the work of the UN, the reality is that this success or failure of the United Nations as a whole is judged in large measure through the action, or lack thereof, of the Security Council, she said

She called for permanent seats for Africa and Latin America and a rotating seat for small island developing States, emphasising that national interest and international cooperation are complementary

US: UN has lost its way

The United States, represented by Ambassador Dorothy Shea, focused on accountability She said the UN had become a bloated bureaucracy that has lost its way, calling for mandates with clear political objectives and measurable benchmarks

The UN should serve Member States rather than have Member States beholden to an unaccountable bureaucracy, she said

On the next Secretary-General, Ambassador Shea said the US seeks a leader who will restore the UN to its founding purpose, respecting state sovereignty and prioritising accountability and transparency

She added that the selection process should be merit-based, drawing candidates from all regional groupings, and that the next Secretary-General should bring the UN back to basics and by so doing, help achieve the bold vision of peace and prosperity to which we all committed

A humble ballot box

UN PhotoA photograph of a UN Security Council meeting on atomic energy in 1947

At the start of the meeting, the UN chief recalled a remarkable moment from the UNs early days: the first Security Council ballot box in 1946 To everyones surprise, a slip of paper was already inside a note from Paul Antonio, a local New York mechanic who had made the box

May I, who have had the privilege of fabricating this ballot box, cast the first vote? May God be with every member of the United Nations Organization, and through your noble efforts bring lasting peace to us all all over the world, Mr Antonio wrote

Paul Antonio the mechanic never sat at this table He never gave a speech or signed a treaty, Mr Guterres told ambassadors

But he believed in everyone here He believed in you I urge you: honour that trust Make this chamber worthy of the hopes of every man, woman and child

Soundcloud

AUDIO: Secretary-General Guterres' address to the Security Council

UN Photo/Manuel ElasSecretary-General Antnio Guterres (on screen) addresses Security Council members.UN Photo/Manuel ElasA wide view of the Security Council as Secretary-General Antnio Guterres (on screen) addresses members.UN PhotoA photograph of a UN Security Council meeting on atomic energy in 1947.Soundcloud