Africa: Security Council Reform 'Is Absolutely Essential' - Guterres

The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday underscored the need to effectively re-open the Strait of Hormuz and expand UN Security Council membership to curb the impunity of veto-wielding "superpowers".

António Guterres was addressing a press conference on the final day of an official visit to Japan, which is marking 70 years of cooperation with the UN, and he highlighted the importance of partnership in a world "rocked by conflicts, climate chaos and inequality."

He noted how rising inflation and the deepening cost-of-living crisis are being made worse by the current unrest in the Middle East which has led to "skyrocketing" prices for energy and raw materials, including fertilizers.