Point of view Quote by Antonio Guterres
“One of the problems with the Security Council is that there are vetoes, and they do not allow us to do what might be justified from the point of view of sanctions.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: United Nations General Assembly, 2023
The Security Council’s veto power can block actions that may be justified, such as sanctions, limiting collective response to crises.
In simple terms: Vetoes can prevent justified sanctions.
Consider reforming veto rules.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- diplomatic negotiations
- crisis response
- policy drafting
- UN reform
- multilateral sanctions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can the UN balance power with effectiveness?
- What alternatives exist to unilateral vetoes?
Vetoes may be used for political leverage, not purely security concerns.