KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sharply criticised the United Nations (UN), declaring that the global body “has stopped working” amid its failure to prevent the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking after a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Lula said that institutions created to maintain peace and prevent atrocities had become ineffective. “The multilateral institutions that were created to try to prevent these things from happening have stopped working. Today, the UN Security Council and the UN no longer function,” he remarked.
Referring to the situation in Gaza, Lula condemned what he described as a “genocide” that continues unchecked while the world’s leading international organisation remains powerless. “How can such suffering go on while the UN still exists?” he asked, highlighting the paralysis and selective action within the Security Council.
The Brazilian leader’s comments come as part of his longstanding call for UN reform, arguing that the global body no longer represents the realities of the modern world. Lula has repeatedly pushed for greater participation from developing nations and Global South countries in global decision-making.
Political observers note that Lula’s criticism reflects growing frustration among emerging economies that view current global governance systems as outdated and dominated by Western influence. His remarks also signal Brazil’s rising diplomatic assertiveness, as the country seeks a more prominent role in shaping international policy.
As diplomatic tensions continue to mount over the war in Gaza and the UN’s limited response, Lula’s words echo a broader sentiment that the world’s most powerful institutions are losing credibility in times of crisis.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.