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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has vowed to continue speaking out in support of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, declaring that he will not remain silent if political efforts drift away from international law.
Addressing participants at the 2025 UN Reham Al-Farra Fellowship programme, Guterres said the world is confronting an unprecedented combination of crises, including widening conflicts, worsening climate disruption, rising inequality and the unchecked expansion of artificial intelligence.
He described the moment as a “perfect storm” that threatens global stability.
The UN chief insisted that maintaining a ceasefire alone is not enough, stressing that lasting peace depends on meaningful political progress. He said moving into the next phase of negotiations was essential.
He warned that the Middle East would remain unstable without recognising the right of Palestinians to determine their own future.
Guterres said that even when the Security Council fails to act decisively, he would continue to challenge developments that contradict international law and the principles on which the United Nations was founded.
He reaffirmed that he would keep pressing for a political settlement regardless of opposition or diplomatic gridlock.
Earlier in his remarks, he warned that international relations have become significantly more dangerous since he took office in 2017.
He pointed to the war in Ukraine, the scale of destruction in Gaza, expanding violence in Sudan, Myanmar and the Sahel, and the growing threat of terrorism across Africa as signs of a rapidly deteriorating global landscape.
He also criticised the UN Security Council, describing it as outdated, ineffective and unable to respond to modern challenges.
According to Guterres, the absence of permanent African and Latin American representation, combined with the veto system, has left the body paralysed and unable to prevent violations of international law.
On climate change, the Secretary-General admitted that his generation had failed to take sufficient action.
He warned that global warming is on track to exceed the 1.5°C threshold, with serious implications for food supplies, public health and geopolitical security.
He observed that governments’ current climate commitments would deliver only minimal emissions cuts and fall well short of what scientists say is required.
Responding to questions from the fellows, Guterres said reforming global institutions remains a priority, particularly to amplify the influence of developing nations.
However, he acknowledged that such changes depend on the collective will of member states rather than the UN leadership alone.
He also raised alarm over declining international aid budgets, noting that funding cuts by major donors have left vulnerable communities facing worsening hunger, reduced healthcare access and crumbling infrastructure.
In response, UN agencies are reorganising their operations to maximise limited resources and support populations in crisis.
Closing his address, Guterres encouraged young journalists not to turn away from international institutions despite mounting frustration.
He said global challenges cannot be resolved without effective multilateral cooperation and called on the younger generation to push for reform rather than abandonment of the system.
