United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres received an honorary doctorate on behalf of the United Nations on Friday in Leuven by KU Leuven and UCLouvain, as part of the joint celebrations marking the universities’ 600th anniversary.
The honorary title was officially presented by KU Leuven Rector Luc Sels and UCLouvain Rector Françoise Smets, in recognition of the UN’s important role in promoting peace, human rights, and international cooperation.
The event was streamed live on PLACEHOLDER5a31585cc51b6225 and made available through KU Leuven’s PLACEHOLDERee7328440c7a39a8, allowing a wider audience to follow the ceremony and Guterres’ address.
In his speech, Guterres thanked both universities and said the United Nations was proud to be part of such a meaningful celebration. He praised the universities’ long history of knowledge and education, mentioning famous names such as Erasmus and Georges Lemaître.
“You honour the United Nations as we celebrate a remarkable milestone: 600th anniversary of the University of Leuven,”
he said.
He also spoke about the global challenges we face today, including war, inequality, climate change, and political division.
“Multilateralism matters. But it is under attack like never before. We can and must overcome this threat together,”
he warned.
Guterres addressed the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, calling for peace based on international law.
“There is no military solution to this conflict,”
he said, urging for a renewed ceasefire and humanitarian support for the people of Gaza.
He also praised Europe’s efforts in international cooperation:
“A strong and united Europe is not just essential for the continent. It is a fundamental pillar of a strong and effective United Nations.”
At the end of the ceremony, Guterres responded to a question about reforming the UN Security Council, which has long been a difficult and controversial topic. He admitted that real reform is still challenging, especially due to the power of the veto held by the five permanent members.
“I cannot guarantee that member states will understand that the Security Council reform, deep reform, is indeed a must, but I can guarantee that we’ll do everything possible to create the conditions for member states to take the right decisions,”
he said.
He explained that progress has been made. The topic is no longer a taboo, and there is now more serious discussion and written proposals, including recognition of the need for African representation in the Council.
“For the first time, the tower has been shaken.”
The event ended on a hopeful note, reminding everyone of the power of education, solidarity, and shared responsibility in creating a better world. While the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary this year, KU Leuven and UCLouvain are celebrating an impressive 600 years of history. The ceremony was one of many events taking place in 2025 as KU Leuven proudly celebrates its anniversary, honouring its rich past while looking ahead to the future.
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