UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a powerful speech on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly, condemning the growing sense of impunity among governments and armed groups in conflicts such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. He accused them of blatantly disregarding international law and the UN Charter without facing consequences.
Guterres warned that this rising disregard for global norms is “politically indefensible and morally intolerable,” referencing the ongoing wars in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, and Sudan. He highlighted the devastating human toll, with civilians bearing the brunt of escalating violence.
With tensions between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas reaching new heights, and conflict potentially spilling into Lebanon, Guterres made an urgent call for restraint, warning that Lebanon is “at the brink” and cannot afford to become another Gaza.
In Ukraine, where conflict has worsened following Russia’s invasion in 2022 and Ukraine’s recent territorial gains, Guterres called for a “just peace” rooted in international law and the UN Charter.
Addressing Sudan, the Secretary-General condemned the brutal internal power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which erupted into war in April 2023, derailing plans for a peaceful transition to civilian rule. Guterres emphasized that outside interference and the lack of a unified approach are exacerbating the crisis.
He summarized the current state of global affairs as unsustainable, warning of deepening geopolitical divisions, worsening environmental threats, and the looming risks of nuclear conflict. Guterres concluded by urging world leaders to address these urgent issues to prevent global catastrophe, describing the situation as “a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.”
