UN Secretary General: UN Principles Under Pressure, International Laws Stepped On

JAKARTA - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said currently UN principles are under pressure by citing the situation in Gaza as an example.

The statement was made by Guterres while speaking at the UN's 80th Anniversary Summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States, Monday, September 22.

"Currently, UN principles are under unprecedented pressure. When we meet today, civilians are targeted, and international law is trampled on in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other places," he said.

Guterres said UN staff had seen various wars in the world and sought to build institutions as places where all countries - large and small can unite to solve problems that cannot be solved by one country alone.

However, at a time when the world is moving towards a multipolar world, international law, which is the principle of the United Nations, is not ignored.

In fact, during its 80 years of founding, the United Nations has led several of humanity's greatest successes, such as the elimination of smallpox, the restoration of the ozone layer, and preventing the Third World War.

Therefore, Guterres invites the world not only to maintain, but to strengthen the role of the United Nations in order to be able to face various global challenges over the next 80 years.

The UN Secretary General also estimates the challenges in the next 80 years will include challenges that we already know and new ones. The fight against war and poverty, he said, would continue.

"However, there will also be a struggle to fight climate chaos, technology that is out of control, space militarization, and crises that we can't even imagine," he said.

To face these challenges, let's remember what our founders already know: The only way forward is together. Let's welcome this moment with clarity, courage, and belief. And let's fulfill the promise of peace," said Guterres.

The 80th UN Anniversary marks the start of a series of UN High-Level Sessions at the United Nations 80th General Assembly Session which runs until September 30, 2025.