UN chief says UN charter is not la carte menu
(MENAFN) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the organization's core principles are under greater threat today than at any point since its founding, as the world body marks 80 years since its charter was signed.
"Today, we see assaults on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter like never before," Guterres told the General Assembly on Thursday.
Without naming specific actors, he pointed to widespread violations of international humanitarian law, deliberate attacks on civilians, and the strategic use of food and water as weapons.
"On and on, we see an all too familiar pattern: Follow when the charter suits, ignore when it does not," he said.
"The Charter of the United Nations is not optional. It is not a la carte menu. It is the bedrock of international relations. We cannot and must not normalize violations of its most basic principles."
Originally signed in the aftermath of World War II, the UN Charter formally established the organization on October 24, 1945. It outlines key pillars of global relations such as sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution, human rights, and humanitarian cooperation.
Despite its lofty ideals, the charter has often been violated over the past eight decades, with critics questioning its effectiveness in preventing global conflicts. However, Guterres rejected the notion that the document has lost its importance.
"We can draw a direct line from the creation of the United Nations and the prevention of a third world war," he said.
"Upholding the purposes and principles of the charter is a never-ending mission. Over the decades, we have celebrated the end of wars, while witnessing the start of others."
The 80th anniversary comes at a time when the UN is also grappling with financial strain. A reduction in funding—particularly from major donors like the United States under President Donald Trump—has left the organization facing budgetary challenges.
In response, Guterres has introduced the UN80 initiative, aimed at overhauling the organization’s operations. The reform plan may involve extensive staffing cuts as part of a broader effort to increase efficiency amid financial constraints.
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