United Nations, Jan 16 (PTI): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday issued a strong warning to the world’s most powerful nations, saying those who seek to cling to privileges risk “paying the price tomorrow”, as he made a renewed push for urgent reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
Addressing the 193-member UN General Assembly on his priorities for 2026, Guterres said global institutions must reflect present-day realities, cautioning that outdated structures are steadily losing legitimacy. “Reform must be about institutions that reflect today’s world. 1945 problem-solving will not solve 2026 problems. If structures do not reflect our times, our world, our realities — they will lose legitimacy,” he said.
Calling for sweeping reform of global institutions, Guterres noted that the share of global GDP held by developed economies is shrinking while emerging economies continue to grow in size, strength and influence. “Every day, South-South trade pulls further ahead of North-North trade. Our structures must reflect this changing world,” he said, stressing that reform of international financial, trade institutions — and the Security Council — is “essential”.
Emphasising that reform is in the interest of those who hold power, Guterres said it is “manifestly” important for them to be on the frontlines of change. “Those who try to cling to privileges today risk paying the price tomorrow. And so we must all be bold enough to change. The world is not waiting. Neither should we,” he said.
As he enters the final year of his second five-year term, which ends on December 31, 2026, Guterres said he would make every day count and remains fully committed to “keep working, fighting, and pushing for a better world”.
India, which has long demanded reform of the UNSC, has consistently argued that the 15-nation Council, established in 1945, is no longer fit for purpose and does not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. New Delhi has reiterated that it deserves a permanent seat at the horseshoe table. India last served as a non-permanent member of the Council in 2021–22.
A deeply polarised Security Council has struggled to address current global crises, with divisions among members over conflicts such as the Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Eldos Mathew Punnoose, delivering India’s national statement at the General Assembly plenary on the Secretary-General’s report, said the UN’s inability to act decisively has raised serious questions about its efficacy, legitimacy and credibility.
“This is quite pronounced in the case of maintenance of international peace and security. As conflicts rage across different parts of the globe, the world hopes the UN to deliver, to put an end to human suffering and misery,” Punnoose said.
India underlined that existing gaps in achieving global goals demand a reassessment of the UN’s architecture. “Such examination underscores the dire need for reforms. This is not a choice anymore, but an imperative,” he said.
With the UN approaching its 80th anniversary, Punnoose stressed the need for collective action towards reformed multilateralism. “Reforming the Security Council is central to this. The UNSC must reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Both permanent and non-permanent categories must be expanded,” he said, adding that these changes are essential to make the UN fit to respond to present and future challenges. PTI YAS AMS
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