António Guterres on International Law

António Guterres views international law, underpinned by the UN Charter, as the indispensable cornerstone of global peace, security, and friendly relations among states. He asserts that for smaller or historically disadvantaged nations, international law serves as a critical lifeline ensuring equal treatment, sovereignty, and justice, while for powerful states, it acts as a necessary guardrail against unacceptable actions during disputes. He notes that if all governments fulfilled their obligations under international law, every person would live in peace and dignity, lamenting that the current reality sees the rule of law frequently replaced by the law of the jungle and flagrant violations.

He emphasizes that the current global order, despite its 80-year history, is failing because many governments are ignoring their commitments, leading to crises like those in Gaza and Ukraine, which he notes involve clear violations of the UN Charter and international law. António Guterres presses for a renewed commitment from all Member States, highlighting the Security Council’s unique, binding authority to enforce peace and security decisions under international law, and stresses the need for accountability to end impunity. He urges states to use established dispute-settlement mechanisms and supports the independent operation of international courts to ensure peace remains anchored in justice and law.