--- title: "«The UN is slowly dying»: IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi makes a stark statement about the organization's future" description: "🚨 SHOCK Statement from IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi: «The UN is slowly dying». In an interview with Financial Times, Grossi noted the loss of relevance of the UN and the organization's inability to resolve modern conflicts. Experts link this to his ambitions to take the post of UN Secretary-General. 🔹 Grossi: «UN mechanisms have degraded». 🔹 Context: Battle for the chair in New York. 🔹 Problem: Veto in the Security Council blocks any reforms. Read the full analysis in our longread! 👇" date: 2026-08-13T08:13:39.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/iaea-chief-grossi-un-slowly-dying-statement-2026 tags: [rafael-grossi, iaea, un-crisis, un-reform, international-politics, financial-times] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # «The UN is slowly dying»: IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi makes a stark statement about the organization's future ![Rafael Grossi, head of IAEA, in a business suit against a modern interior, discussing the future of the UN](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/13/glava-magate-grossi-o-on-medlenno-umiraet-zayavlenie-2026/glava-magate-grossi-o-on-medlenno-umiraet-zayavlenie-2026-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi stated that the UN has lost relevance and is experiencing «slow death». - The statement was made against the backdrop of the election campaign for the post of UN Secretary-General. - Experts point to a legal deadlock in reforms due to the veto power of permanent Security Council members. - There are contradictions in the interpretation of Grossi's words: from a fatal diagnosis to a tactical move. ### «The UN is slowly dying»: Shock statement from the IAEA Chief On August 13, 2026, the international community was shaken by a loud statement from one of the most influential diplomats of our time. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in an exclusive interview with *Financial Times*, did not resort to diplomatic euphemisms. He stated a fact: the United Nations, in its current form, is losing relevance and the ability to influence the course of history. According to Grossi, the mechanisms created in 1945 have degraded and are no longer capable of effectively resolving modern interstate conflicts. This statement came as a bolt from the blue, considering the speaker's high status. Grossi, whose career is closely linked to nuclear diplomacy and arms control, pointed to a systemic crisis. He emphasized that the lack of progress in preventing global catastrophes is a key indicator that collective security institutions are outdated. «We are witnessing the slow death of an organization that was once a pillar of peace», he summarized the essence of what is happening. ### Political context: The battle for the UN Secretary-General post Experts agree that such harsh criticism is not just a professional assessment. The interview was published against the backdrop of heated discussions about the upcoming change in the leadership of the UN Secretariat. Rafael Grossi is considered by many analysts to be one of the main contenders for the post of the next Secretary-General. His words can be interpreted as part of an election program: he is not just criticizing the system, but also offering himself as a reformer capable of «saving» the organization from total collapse. In a world facing unprecedented challenges — from regional wars to climate crises — the figure of Grossi, with his reputation as a tough negotiator, looks attractive to Western countries. His position on the need for a radical review of the UN's role in diplomatic settlement could become his trump card in the fight for the chair in New York. ### Legal frameworks and the reform deadlock The problem pointed out by Grossi runs into rigid legal frameworks. The structure and powers of the UN are defined by the 1945 Charter. The key responsibility for peace and security lies with the Security Council, where the veto power of permanent members (P5) often paralyzes decision-making. Any structural changes require amendments to the Charter, which in turn requires the consent of all permanent members of the Security Council. This creates a vicious circle: those who block reforms are the main beneficiaries of the current system. The procedure for selecting the Secretary-General, regulated by Article 97 of the Charter, also remains a subject of dispute. The appointment is made by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council, which often turns the election into a backroom game of great powers. Grossi, criticizing inefficiency, in fact questions the very possibility of reforming the system «from within» without a radical change in the balance of power. ### Contradictory data There have been discrepancies in different information streams regarding the exact wording and tone of Grossi's statements. On the one hand, in the interview with *Financial Times* and in quotes cited by *RBC*, the emphasis is on the phrase about «slow death» and loss of relevance, which sounds like a verdict. On the other hand, in materials from *Armenpress* and some analytical notes, the emphasis is shifted to the constructive need to be a «realist» and adapt to new realities. Some sources interpret Grossi's words as a warning of the inevitable collapse of the UN without immediate reforms. Others see this as merely a tactical move intended to clear the field for his own candidacy for Secretary-General, offering a «fresh look» at old problems. For now, there is no consensus on whether this is a diagnosis of a terminal stage or a call for intensive therapy. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [IAEA Chief speaks of «slow death» and loss of relevance of the UN](https://www.rbc.ru/politics/13/08/2026/6a7d71db9a7947e57c6c2234) - Подтверждает факт интервью FT и тезис о «медленной смерти». - [IAEA Chief speaks of «slow death» of the UN](https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/8878618) - Подтверждает критическую оценку эффективности ООН. - [Grossi, a candidate for UN Secretary-General, stated the need to be ...](https://armenpress.am/ru/article/1248125) - Подтверждает политический контекст (претендент на пост) и альтернативную трактовку. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What exactly did Rafael Grossi say about the UN? **A:** Grossi stated that the UN is losing relevance and effectiveness in resolving modern conflicts, using the metaphor of the organization's «slow death». ### Q: Why did Grossi make such a statement in 2026? **A:** The statement was made against the backdrop of discussions about changing the UN leadership. Experts link the criticism to Grossi's possible ambition to take the post of Secretary-General. ### Q: Can the UN be reformed according to Grossi? **A:** Grossi points to the need for reforms, but legal frameworks (UN Charter and veto power) make structural changes extremely difficult without the consent of all permanent Security Council members.