UN chief defends Security Council as bastion against 'law of the jungle'

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UNITED NATIONS — UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday defended the UN Security Council as the only body that can adopt binding decisions on peace and security in an increasingly lawless world.

As he defended the world body, the secretary-general avoided mentioning the "Board of Peace" launched and led by President Donald Trump in an apparent attempt to supplant the UN's role.

"Around the world, the rule of law is being replaced by the law of the jungle," Guterres told the Security Council. "We see flagrant violations of international law and brazen disregard for the UN Charter."

The charter and related documents bar the threat or use of force and bind all nations, "large and small, to the same rules," he said.

"In an era crowded with initiatives, the United Nations Security Council stands alone in its Charter-mandated authority to act on behalf of all Member States on questions of peace and security," he said.

No other body "or ad-hoc coalition" can legally require member states to comply with its decisions or authorise the use of force under international law, he emphasised.

Unlike the United Nations, where every member has a say and five big powers wield vetoes, the nascent "Board of Peace" is led personally by Trump, who says the UN has not lived up to its potential.

A handful of world leaders were on hand for a ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, last week, unveiling the new body, but major Western allies are sceptical.

Guterres said the world needs to "get back on track" and that members of the Security Council "bear a special responsibility to lead by example."