UN chief says world situation deteriorates as Security Council remains deadlocked

UN chief warns world is getting worse

Antonio Guterres told Al Jazeera that the overall state of the world is deteriorating as multiple wars intensify and become more complex. He attributed the worsening situation to the paralysis of the United Nations Security Council, which he said is unable to act because of deepening geopolitical divides among its members.

Impact of major conflicts on global stability

Guterres highlighted the combined effects of the Russia-Ukraine war and the US-Israel conflict involving Iran, noting that disruptions to food, fertilizer and energy exports through the Black Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb are creating severe economic strain worldwide. He said rising interest rates and fuel prices may be manageable for developed economies, but people in developing nations face a desperate situation due to soaring energy and food costs and limited fertilizer supplies.

Calls for Security Council reform and leadership transition

The secretary-general, whose term ends on 31 December 2026, described the Security Council as still reflecting a World War II era structure and urged reforms to keep the UN relevant. He noted that his successor has not yet been named, mentioning candidates such as IAEA head Rafael Grossi, former Senegalese president Macky Sall and Ecuadorian diplomat Maria Fernanda Espinosa. The selection process requires at least nine votes from the 15 council members and no veto from any of the five permanent members.

What remains unverified

Specific details about the exact number of conflicts, casualty figures or the precise economic impact of the cited disruptions have not been independently confirmed in the interview.