21 Apr 2022

UN officials warn Secretary-General to step up on Ukraine or risk irrelevance

From Morning Report, 6:46 am on 21 April 2022

Former UN officials have warned the Secretary General that if he does not step up efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine, the UN could be doomed. 

In their letter to António Guterres the group of 200 say he should be prepared to take personal risks to de-escalate conflict and support Ukraine. 

They emphasise that Russia's war is testing the rationale of the UN and if Guterres does not take more of a lead in peacemaking efforts, the UN runs the risk of becoming irrelevant. 

UN Correspondent Sarah Walton spoke to Māni Dunlop.