United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres issued a stark warning on Monday that the international rule of law is increasingly being supplanted by what he called the “law of the jungle”, as global disregard for legal norms and the UN Charter deepens.
Speaking at an open debate of the United Nations Security Council on the international rule of law, Guterres said the system of international law established over the past eight decades, which has helped prevent major wars and promote cooperation, is now under severe strain.
“The rule of law is a cornerstone of global peace and security,” he told the Council. “For 80 years it has helped humanity avoid a third world war and eased the human toll in countless smaller conflicts.” However, he warned that around the world the rule of law is being replaced by the law of the jungle, with States choosing which rules to follow rather than abiding by them universally.
Guterres cited flagrant violations of international law and the UN Charter, noting unlawful uses of force, attacks on civilian infrastructure, human rights abuses, and the denial of lifesaving humanitarian aid as some of the trends undermining global legal norms.
He emphasized that the UN Charter and international treaties bind all nations, large and small, to the same legal framework and serve as life‑preserving safeguards for weaker states, guaranteeing sovereignty, dignity, and justice.
Highlighting the unique authority of the UN Security Council, Guterres stressed that only the Council has the legal power to adopt binding decisions on peace and security and to authorize the use of force under international law. He reiterated that no other body or ad hoc coalition can legally require full compliance by all Member States.
The Secretary‑General called on UN Member States to recommit to international law, invoke peaceful dispute‑settlement mechanisms, and support fair judicial processes that uphold accountability. He also urged reforms to strengthen the effectiveness and legitimacy of global institutions, including the Security Council itself.
Guterres’ remarks come amid heightened global tensions and ongoing conflicts in several regions, underscoring deep challenges to the multilateral system and the principles of a rules‑based international order.