Geopolitical conflicts expose weakening of international law, warns Timor-Leste president
President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta said the world is witnessing the steady breakdown of global systems that were created to protect peace, human rights, and fair international trade.
International law is being weakened as powerful nations ignore rules meant to prevent conflict, President of Timor-Leste Jos Ramos-Horta said during a conversation at the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai.
Speaking with CNN anchor Eleni Giokos, Ramos-Horta said the world is witnessing the steady breakdown of global systems that were created to protect peace, human rights, and fair international trade.
He warned that when international laws are applied selectively or ignored entirely, the world risks returning to what he described as the “law of the jungle”, where power replaces rules.
According to him, institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation lose credibility when their own members violate the principles they are meant to uphold.
Ramos-Horta pointed out that permanent members of the UN Security Council engaging in actions banned under the UN Charter damages the very system designed to prevent wars. He said the Charter clearly prohibits the use of force, threats against sovereignty, and the acquisition of territory through violence, yet these rules are increasingly overlooked.
Drawing from Timor-Leste’s own history, Ramos-Horta said international law played a crucial role in the country’s journey to independence in 2002 after years of occupation. He said the erosion of these laws today feels like history repeating itself, especially for smaller nations that rely on global rules for protection.
However, he also highlighted the importance of diplomacy and cooperation, citing Indonesia’s role in respecting agreements and supporting Timor-Leste after independence. He said Indonesia’s actions showed that respecting international law can lead to stability rather than conflict.
On the use of force, Ramos-Horta stressed that military intervention should only happen in extreme cases such as genocide, and only when authorised by the UN Security Council. He warned against countries acting alone, saying such actions further weaken the global order.
The Timor-Leste president urged world leaders to resist the temptation of power politics and return to dialogue, rules, and collective responsibility to prevent further global instability.