Guterres calls for reforms at UN, independence of Palestine

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has reiterated the urgency for administrative reforms at the global body and the independence of Palestine. Speaking at the closing of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala, Guterres noted that the persistent violations of the rights of the poorer countries by the developed West show that the UN in its current structure can no longer give solutions.

The condemnation of Israel’s war in Gaza dominated the statements by the more than 90 delegations at the meetings that started on Monday with calls for an immediate ceasefire release of hostages, and implementation of the Two-State solution. Guterres said the UN was alarmed by the way the UN conventions were being flouted with impunity in the war that has also repeatedly claimed the lives of more than 10,000 children and women, 152 UN workers as well as several journalists.

He said that the breakdown of social services in Gaza is killing more people than the guns and bombs, hence the need for a quick solution, and the recognition of the Palestinians’ right to their state.

The UN boss also called for the expeditious implementation of reforms at the UN, and in particular the Security Council, to at least create a permanent seat for Africa. The most prominent conflicts today have both been blamed on the most powerful permanent members of the UN Security Council, with Russia Carrying out now a year-long war on Ukraine, while the US and UK have led other European countries in arming and financing Israel’s incursion into Palestine.

Guterres said that unfortunately, the UN as a platform for global dispute resolution has been weakened by the global divisions making its work hard.

On his part, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves expressed worry that the conflicts are happening at the expense of solutions to the biting needs of the world today, like climate change, peace, and a better future for the coming generations. Gonsalves rallied the NAM countries to unite for strategic objectives adding that solidarity would enable them to achieve much. He notes that another Caribbean nation, Cuba, was up to now still being punished for its role in the liberation of Angola between 1975 and 1991, yet the same powers are now sponsoring what he called the first televised genocide in history.

In his closing statements at the summit, President Yoweri Museveni, also the NAM Heads of State Chairperson, called on the West to allow different ideas to flourish and shape the development of the world as it was in the pre-and development stages of European development. He said they should leave each country to decide where its interest is instead of imposing their ideas and forcing others, especially poor countries, to ally with them.

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URN