UN Chief Calls for International Law Adherence Amid Global Conflicts and Climate Challenges

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the Reuters NEXT conference in New York on December 3, 2025, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to international law in resolving global conflicts and tackling climate change.

Guterres underscored that any resolution to Russia's war in Ukraine must comply with international law. He acknowledged the ongoing complexity of the conflict that began with Russia's February 2022 invasion, which escalated tensions between Russia and the West to levels not seen since the Cold War. "I believe we are still far from a solution," Guterres stated, highlighting the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution.

Addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict, Guterres commended the United States for its role in aiding humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip. However, he voiced concerns about potential war crimes, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law.

Guterres also criticized U.S. military strikes on vessels near Venezuela, stating that they do not align with principles of international law. This critique underscores the importance of respecting sovereignty and legal frameworks in international military operations.

Reflecting on the recent COP30 climate summit held in Belém, Brazil, Guterres expressed mixed feelings about its outcomes. He labeled the event as "disappointing" but noted that it demonstrated the effectiveness of multilateralism, even without the participation of the United States and amid active opposition by the fossil fuel industry. The summit concluded with a compromise deal led by Brazil, offering increased financial support for developing nations battling climate change. However, the agreement failed to mention fossil fuels, drawing criticism for weakening the global stance on phasing down their use. Guterres warned that scientific consensus indicates the world is on track to exceed the 1.5°C warming threshold set by the 2015 Paris Agreement. He highlighted the urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions drastically in the coming years to avoid worsening climate disasters like severe storms and floods.

Guterres also addressed the United Nations' financial challenges, proposing a significant reduction in the UN’s 2026 core budget. He aims to cut $577 million—a 15% decrease from the previous year’s spending—and eliminate over 18% of current jobs. This move comes amid a deepening financial crisis, exacerbated by unpaid dues, particularly from the United States. By the end of 2024, the UN faced $760 million in arrears, with $709 million of that amount remaining unpaid.

The Reuters NEXT conference, held on December 3–4, 2025, featured an extensive lineup of influential speakers from around the globe, including Syria Central Bank Governor Abdul Kader AlHussrieh, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, actress and entrepreneur Sarah Jessica Parker, and media executive Shari Redstone. Senior executives from leading companies such as Estee Lauder, Tapestry, Ferrovial, NBC Universal, SAP, Cohere, Google, Cisco, Moderna, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also contributed. The summit addressed key global themes such as the future of international leadership, economic forecasts for 2026, the impact of artificial intelligence, luxury market trends, and the state of streaming media.

Guterres' remarks highlight the interconnectedness of global conflicts, humanitarian efforts, climate action, and financial stability. His emphasis on adherence to international law and multilateral cooperation underscores the need for collective action in addressing these complex challenges.

António Guterres has served as the Secretary-General of the United Nations since January 1, 2017. Prior to this role, he was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015 and served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002. Throughout his career, Guterres has been a strong advocate for multilateralism, human rights, and sustainable development.

Guterres' address at the Reuters NEXT conference serves as a call to action for the international community to uphold international law and strengthen multilateral cooperation in addressing the world's most pressing challenges.