UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday asked UN Security Council members to overcome their divisions.
He made the appeal in his remarks to the Security Council at an open debate on multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes, saying that the council's members, particularly its permanent members, "must continue working to overcome divisions."
Despite the Security Council's complex agenda and even in the darkest days of the Cold War, the collective dialogue and decision-making in the council underpinned a common and effective system of global security -- successfully deploying a range of peacekeeping missions, opening the door for vital humanitarian aid to flow to people in need, and helping prevent a third world war, Guterres said.
"I urge you to summon this same spirit by keeping channels open, continuing to listen in good faith, and working to overcome differences and building consensus," he said.
Guterres also called for reform of the Security Council.
He said that they "must also work to ensure that this council reflects the world of today, not the world of 80 years ago," adding that the "council should be made more representative of today's geopolitical realities."
Guterres stressed the need for the Security Council to strengthen cooperation with regional and subregional partners, and for UN member states to honor their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
Eighty years ago, the United Nations was founded with a primary purpose: to safeguard humanity from the scourge of war, stressing the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes when geopolitical tensions escalate, as is recognized in the UN Charter, he said.
"As we mark the 80th anniversary of our organization and the charter that gave it life and shape, we need to renew our commitment to the multilateral spirit of peace through diplomacy," he said.
