Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need to reform the UN Security Council during a press conference on the final day of his visit to Japan, marking 70 years of cooperation with the United Nations. He described current global challenges—including conflicts, climate change, inequality, and economic pressures worsened by unrest in the Middle East—which have led to rising energy and raw material prices.
Guterres stressed the need to restore freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz and to stop ceasefire violations, advocating for conditions conducive to a political solution in the ongoing regional conflict.
Addressing the Security Council's structure, Guterres called for an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent members. He noted that only one Asian country is currently a permanent member, despite Asia representing half the world’s population, and highlighted the absence of permanent members from Africa and Latin America. This imbalance, he said, raises concerns about the Council's legitimacy and effectiveness.
He further emphasized the need for a fairer multilateral system that can uphold international law and hold countries accountable. Guterres also reaffirmed the UN's role as a key forum for promoting peace, sustainable development, and human rights, stressing that the Organization's strength depends on the commitment of its member states.