UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged member states to recommit to fully respecting international law, calling it the cornerstone of global peace, security, and cooperation.
Speaking at a Security Council open debate on international rule of law, Guterres said the UN Charter and other international instruments have provided a resilient system of collective security, prohibiting the threat or use of force and ensuring all states are bound by the same rules while respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“For smaller and less-powerful countries, and those suffering from historical inequities, international law is a lifeline promising equal treatment, sovereignty, dignity, and justice,” he said. “For powerful countries, it serves as a guardrail defining what is acceptable in times of conflict.”
The UN chief warned that the global rule of law is increasingly being replaced by the “law of the jungle,” citing violations such as illegal use of force, targeting civilian infrastructure, human rights abuses, unconstitutional changes of government, and denial of humanitarian aid. He stressed that such actions set dangerous precedents, erode trust among nations, and undermine public faith in international cooperation.
Guterres called on all member states to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, utilize dispute-settlement mechanisms to prevent conflicts, and promote fair and independent judicial proceedings. He also emphasized the unique authority of the Security Council to act on questions of peace and security, noting that no other body or coalition can legally require all member states to comply with such decisions.
“The Security Council’s responsibility is singular. Its obligation is universal,” Guterres said.
