Outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that major powers must recognise the changing global balance of influence, arguing that recent conflicts have demonstrated the limits of superpower power projection.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Guterres said: “It’s time for superpowers to understand the limits of their power”, citing the war in Ukraine and tensions involving the United States and Iran as examples of shifting global dynamics.
He said the world is moving towards multipolarity, with emerging powers gaining greater influence.
“Superpowers need to understand that things have changed, the weight of different countries has changed,” Guterres said, calling for stronger cooperation through trade, technology and international institutions.
Guterres also rejected suggestions that the United Nations is being eclipsed, arguing that despite challenges, it remains central to global governance.
He warned that unmanaged multipolarity could increase rivalry and confrontation, saying: “If we do not organise multipolarity, the risk is that multipolarity will translate itself into more competition and eventually more confrontation.”
The UN chief said reform of international institutions, including the UN Security Council, will be necessary to reflect changing global power structures.
As António Guterres prepares to leave office at the end of 2026, the race to appoint the next UN Secretary-General is underway. Candidates include Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, and former leaders such as Michelle Bachelet and Macky Sall.
The next UN chief will inherit an organisation facing major challenges, including ongoing conflicts, divisions among UN Security Council members, financial pressures and calls for institutional reform.
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