Facing the persistent inefficiency of the UN Security Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for a deep reform, advocating for the expansion of the body and the restriction of the veto power in extreme situations, such as the risk of genocide.

In a striking statement, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has rekindled a sensitive debate within global diplomacy: the reform of the UN Security Council, and more specifically, the limitation of the veto power held by its five permanent members. In an interview given to the Spanish TV channel TVE on June 30, 2025, Guterres denounced the lack of legitimacy and effectiveness of a Council he considers ill-suited to contemporary geopolitical realities.

The current structure of the Council, composed of 15 members including 5 permanent ones (United States, Russia, China, France, United Kingdom) with veto power, is increasingly contested. This privilege, often described as a major obstacle to international humanitarian action, has been at the heart of numerous deadlocks, notably on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Despite an overwhelming majority in the General Assembly in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza, a single American veto was enough to block any Security Council resolution, revealing the limits of current governance.

For Guterres, “the Security Council no longer has the legitimacy to represent today’s world.” He calls for an expansion of the number of permanent and non-permanent members, as well as a reform of the veto power, particularly in cases of genocide or serious violations of international humanitarian law. A bold proposal, but one he himself acknowledges is difficult to implement given the strong diplomatic resistance.

Reactions were swift. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov harshly criticized the Secretary-General’s stance, accusing him of overstepping his prerogatives. For Moscow, any reform must aim to give more space to countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and not weaken historical power levers. According to Lavrov, “eliminating the veto power would make the UN useless.”

Beyond the great powers, criticism of the current order is voiced by the Global South, which has been demanding structural reform of the United Nations for years. Africa, Latin America, and Asia denounce a frozen institution dominated by former colonial powers and poorly representative of 21st-century challenges.

Guterres’s message resonates as a wake-up call on the future of multilateralism. In a changing world marked by major geopolitical crises, prolonged conflicts, and increasing fragmentation of alliances, the UN struggles to remain a credible and effective arbitrator. The organization’s legitimacy will depend on its ability to reinvent itself, to reflect the diversity of the contemporary world, and to restore the peoples’ trust in international diplomacy.