Guterres Warns of Widespread Violations of Int’l Law at UNGA

News Desk

New York: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that international law is being widely violated around the world, as he addressed the opening of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week on Tuesday.

The 81st session of the General Assembly is being held from September 22 to 28, with world leaders gathering in New York for the annual General Debate.

Guterres said numerous wars had erupted over the past decade, causing devastating consequences and intensifying humanitarian crises worldwide.

He said civilians were being targeted, human rights were being violated and hunger was being used as a weapon of war. He stressed that military power alone could not guarantee security.

Addressing the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, Guterres said that despite the ceasefire in Gaza, tensions remained high. He warned that developments in the West Bank were undermining prospects for a two-state solution and stressed that the solution must not be allowed to collapse.

The UN chief has repeatedly called for international law to be respected and for a political path toward a two-state solution, including an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Guterres also warned of growing racial discrimination and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank. He highlighted the extensive destruction and loss of Palestinian lives in Gaza following the October 7 attacks.

Turning to Sudan, the UN secretary-general said the country’s continuing power struggle had developed into a conflict increasingly directed against civilians.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is attending the General Assembly session along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other members of the Pakistani delegation. Guterres also welcomed the prime minister at the UN.

The General Assembly’s 81st session is being held under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”