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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 21-- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday underscored the importance of the proactive approach of prevention instead of responding to crises. "The international community spends far more time and resources responding to crises than in preventing them. We have to rebalance our approach to international peace and security," Guterres told the Security Council in a debate on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter in the maintenance of international peace and security. "Our goal must be to do everything we can to help countries avert the outbreak of crises that take a high toll on humanity. And this vision extends beyond wars and conflicts, to natural disasters, fragility and other kinds of stress." He said crisis prevention is primarily the responsibility of member states. And the United Nations is there to offer support to states in resolving their disputes and preventing the emergence of crises. He encouraged member states to accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, and to make greater use of the court and other international courts and tribunals to help settle and avoid the escalation of their disputes. The UN Charter confers upon the Security Council powers and responsibilities in the field of conflict prevention, he said. "At this time, it is especially urgent for the Security Council to uphold its responsibility to bring about a political settlement on Syria," he added. | 
