Security Council reform ‘is absolutely essential’: Guterres

Key points

• António Guterres was addressing a press conference on the final day of an official visit to Japan, which is marking 70 years of cooperation with the UN, and he highlighted the importance of partnership in a world “rocked by conflicts, climate chaos and inequality.” He noted how rising inflation and the deepening cost-of-living crisis are being made worse by the current unrest in the Middle East which has led to “skyrocketing” prices for energy and raw materials, including fertilizers.
• Uphold freedom of navigation “It is essential to immediately re-establish the freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and to end all ceasefire violations and create conditions for a political solution to the conflict,” he said.
• The Secretary-General said mistrust and geopolitical divisions are blocking effective solutions.
• “Countries are flouting international law with impunity,” he said.
• “Military spending is outpacing spending on aid, while funding cuts have devastating...