Guterres Urges Reform as UN Security Council Faces Paralysis

KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations Security Council’s effectiveness has been significantly compromised by divisions among its permanent members, according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Speaking at the ASEAN Summit on October 27, 2023, he criticized the council for failing to address pressing global crises, attributing its paralysis to the conflicting interests of the superpowers.

Guterres emphasized that the veto powers held by the council’s five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—have undermined the credibility of the UN. He called for urgent reform, stating that the current structure is outdated and unrepresentative of the modern geopolitical landscape. “It is true that the Security Council is largely paralysed in relation to key issues… and the reason is divisions among superpowers,” he remarked.

Call for Reform and Humanitarian Issues

Guterres pointed out that the composition of the council does not reflect today’s realities, noting the absence of African and Latin American representatives. “We need to reform the Security Council. It has three European permanent members, one Asian… no African, no Latin American,” he urged, advocating for a restructured council that better represents the global community.

During the summit, discussions also focused on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, where the military junta has faced significant backlash. Guterres reiterated the need for a resolution that extends beyond humanitarian aid. He stated, “Humanitarian aid is not the solution for the Myanmar people. The solution for Myanmar’s people is peace, which means the end of conflict, through reconciliation, the liberation of political prisoners, and the creation of conditions to return to a democratic form of government.”

The junta is planning to hold a general election on December 28, 2023, the first since the military coup in 2021, but concerns about its fairness are widespread. The European Union has already announced it will not send observers, deeming the election neither free nor fair.

Tensions in the South China Sea and Gaza Ceasefire

In addition to the Myanmar situation, Guterres addressed escalating tensions in the South China Sea. ASEAN leaders seek to finalize a long-awaited code of conduct to manage disputes involving China and several Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Guterres praised ASEAN’s commitment to dialogue, stating, “We are very much in favour of avoiding any kind of incidents. We’re very much in favour of free navigation.”

On the topic of the ceasefire in Gaza, Guterres described the truce that began on October 10, 2023, as an “extraordinarily positive achievement.” He highlighted its importance in facilitating humanitarian aid to a region devastated by conflict. “The suffering of the people in Gaza has been absolutely horrendous. To stop the war was in itself an extremely positive thing,” he noted, while stressing the need for the ceasefire to be maintained.

Guterres remains hopeful that the situation can evolve towards recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood, emphasizing the necessity for continued dialogue and commitment from all parties involved.