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Antonio Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, said the United States is acting without a sense of accountability, warning that Washington’s current approach often sidelines multilateral solutions and international law.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Guterres said U.S. policy increasingly reflects the view that multilateral mechanisms are ineffective and that power and influence should be used directly, even when this overrides international legal norms.
He said the founding principles of the United Nations, including the equality of member states, are under threat, adding that major powers are often reluctant to comply with international law.
Guterres noted that the U.N. lacks enforcement power, while major powers possess significant leverage. He said it is necessary to question whether this power is being used to produce lasting solutions or merely temporary outcomes.
He also criticized the current structure of the U.N. Security Council, saying it no longer reflects today’s world and has become ineffective.
Guterres said permanent members frequently use their veto power in line with national interests, undermining the Council’s legitimacy.
The U.N. chief called for reforms to the Security Council, including limiting veto powers and restoring the body’s credibility.
He warned that some actors now favor the “law of the powerful” over the “power of law,” stressing that a better world cannot be built without confronting this imbalance.
Guterres reiterated that U.S. policies often proceed without accountability, arguing that reliance on power over multilateral cooperation risks weakening international law and global governance.
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