United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned on Thursday that no single power can resolve global challenges, stressing that international law is being undermined and cooperation is weakening.

Speaking at a news conference to mark the beginning of his tenth and final year in office, Guterres said, “Global problems will not be solved by one power calling the shots. Nor will they be solved by two powers carving the world into rival spheres of influence.”

His remarks followed the launch of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, initially designed to support a fragile Gaza ceasefire but now positioned for a broader role. The initiative has raised concerns among several global powers who fear it could revive outdated notions of spheres of influence.

Multilateralism under strain

Guterres highlighted the erosion of multilateral institutions during his tenure, shaped by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Taliban’s return in Afghanistan, conflict in Sudan, the war in Gaza, the abrupt end of Syria’s civil war, and the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

“International law is trampled. Cooperation is eroding. And multilateral institutions are under assault on many fronts,” he said, warning that impunity fuels conflicts and opens the door for spoilers to exploit instability.

The UN currently faces a financial crisis after the US cut voluntary contributions and withheld mandatory payments to its regular and peacekeeping budgets. In response, Guterres launched a reform initiative known as UN80 to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Trump has criticised the UN for failing to support US-led peace efforts, saying the organisation has “great potential” but is not fulfilling it.

Push for lasting peace

Despite challenges, Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s mission to pursue peace rooted in international law. “We are pushing for peace — just and sustainable peace that addresses root causes and endures beyond the signing of an agreement,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the destabilising impact of rapid technological change, particularly artificial intelligence. “We are witnessing perhaps the greatest transfer of power of our times — not from governments to people, but from governments to private technology companies,” he warned, adding that unregulated technologies risk driving instability rather than innovation.

This speech underscored Guterres’ call for collective responsibility, urging nations to strengthen cooperation rather than allow unilateral dominance to shape the future.