The open debate coincides with calls from the United Nations to revitalize the multilateral system and strengthen the institutions of the United Nations Security Council, according to Secretary-General António Guterres.

In a previous meeting, Guterres assured that many of the UN’s successes come from multilateral cooperation, including preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, disarmament, and non-proliferation, with a coordinated global humanitarian system. However, given the tensions between major powers, the multilateral system remains under significant pressure.

Global challenges such as climate change, resilience in human rights and gender equality, terrorism, and others can only be resolved through respect for international law, adherence to global commitments, and adoption of appropriate multilateral governance frameworks, Gutterres stated at the meeting.

In the opinion of the Secretary-General, cooperation will keep the organization’s principles alive while the planet experiences levels of tension only comparable to the Cold War.

Debates within the Council confirm deep divisions that stand in the way of a common path to resolving threats to international peace and security and reconciling different views on the world order and interpretations of the United Nations Charter.

The Security Council is responsible for more effective cooperation with other UN bodies, member states, regional organizations, and civil society, to address global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity, and transnational organized crime.

jrr/llp/arc/ebr