United Nations, New York – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East and an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine as world leaders prepare to gather in New York for the UN General Assembly’s high-level week.
Speaking at a press conference Wednesday, Guterres said preventing further escalation in the Middle East must take precedence as civilians continue to bear the consequences of conflict across the region.
“At this crucial moment in the Middle East, de-escalation must be priority one, priority two and priority three,” Guterres said.
He urged all sides to stop actions that harm civilians and allow humanitarian operations to proceed safely and without obstruction.
Guterres also called for navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab to be fully restored and respected in accordance with international law.
“The only path forward is de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue,” he said, adding that he would continue pressing the message in his discussions with world leaders.
The UN chief also renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, describing it as the first step toward ending a war now well into its fifth year.
Guterres said Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused “immense civilian suffering” and global consequences, with no end to the conflict yet in sight.
“It is time for an immediate ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace,” Guterres said, stressing that any settlement should be consistent with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Asked later how close Russia and Ukraine were to achieving peace, Guterres said a ceasefire remained essential to creating conditions for a negotiated settlement.
“I think it is absolutely essential to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine and to create the conditions to move to a just peace,” he said.
Guterres said he would be willing to host talks involving the parties at the United Nations if an opportunity emerged during the General Assembly.
The UN chief also warned against allowing the wider turmoil in the Middle East to overshadow the situation of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
He called for the peace plan for Gaza to be fully implemented with unrestricted humanitarian assistance and said the “creeping annexation” of the West Bank must end.
“There will be no peace in the Middle East without realizing the two-state solution,” Guterres said.
The appeals came as Guterres outlined his priorities ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where heads of state and government are expected to converge in New York for high-level meetings.
Guterres described the gathering as taking place during “an era of deep uncertainty,” with wars, geopolitical tensions and other global challenges putting increasing pressure on the international system.
He urged world leaders to uphold the UN Charter, international law and human rights while pursuing diplomatic solutions to conflicts.
“Now more than ever,” Guterres said, countries must “push for peace.”
With reports from Xinhua News Agency
