UN Chief Warns Against 'One Power Calling the Shots' as Global Order Fractures

The 75-year-old United Nations is facing an existential crisis. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a stark warning Wednesday that "cooperation is eroding" worldwide, taking direct aim at powerful nations undermining collective problem-solving.

Speaking from UN headquarters in New York, Guterres didn't mince words: "Global problems will not be solved by one power calling the shots."

Trump's Peace Board Under Fire

Guterres' comments were a thinly veiled critique of President Donald Trump's newly launched "Board of Peace," unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The initiative has attracted over two dozen countries from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe as founding members.

But notable absences speak volumes. France declined to join, stating the board "goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions, in particular with respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations." Canada wasn't even invited.

Trump's administration has systematically withdrawn from UN frameworks since his first presidency. Recent moves include sanctioning UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese and threatening negotiators in International Maritime Organization talks on shipping pollution.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva captured the sentiment earlier this month, accusing Trump of wanting to create "a new UN."

China Isn't Off the Hook Either

Guterres extended his critique beyond Washington, warning that "two powers" carving "the world into rival spheres of influence" won't solve global challenges either. This appeared to reference China's expanding global footprint through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.

The message is clear: neither American unilateralism nor US-China bipolarity can address climate catastrophe, inequality, conflict, and tech company dominance—the four priorities Guterres outlined for 2026.

International Law Under Siege

The UN chief painted a grim picture of eroding international norms. "International law is being trampled," he said, "and multilateral institutions are under assault on many fronts."

He was likely referencing Israel's war in Gaza and the controversial abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces. These events highlight how treaties that nations have respected for decades are unraveling.

Yet Guterres remained defiant: the UN continues "pushing for peace—just and sustainable peace rooted in international law."

The Bigger Picture: Order vs. Chaos

What we're witnessing isn't just diplomatic squabbling—it's a fundamental reshaping of how global governance works. Trump's Board of Peace represents a selective, coalition-of-the-willing approach that bypasses traditional multilateral institutions. China's rise offers an alternative model centered on economic partnerships rather than democratic values.

Meanwhile, the UN—designed in 1945 for a bipolar world—struggles to remain relevant in today's multipolar reality. The Security Council's five permanent members still wield veto power over global decisions, despite representing yesterday's power structure.

What's at Stake for Everyone Else

For middle powers and smaller nations, these developments pose difficult choices. Do they join Trump's Board of Peace and risk alienating traditional allies? Embrace China's economic partnerships while potentially compromising sovereignty? Or stick with the UN system despite its obvious limitations?

The stakes extend beyond diplomatic circles. How the world organizes itself affects everything from trade rules to climate action to conflict resolution. Citizens everywhere will feel the consequences of these institutional battles.