Talking at a press convention at UN Headquarters in New York, the UN chief underscored the necessity for “actual, seen, concrete steps” in the direction of a two-State answer primarily based on UN resolutions, worldwide regulation and former agreements.
“Repeated bloody hostilities and many years of tensions and occupation have failed to supply a State for the Palestinians or safety for Israelis,” he mentioned.
“Within the Center East and world wide, we want peace in each sense,” he mentioned. “Our world can’t afford to attend.”
Peace, the widespread thread
Recalling his address to the General Assembly yesterday, the place he offered his priorities for 2024, the UN chief highlighted raging conflicts, geopolitical divisions and escalating polarization inside communities and confused that peace is the “widespread thread” connecting the multifaceted challenges confronted globally.
“Yesterday, I offered a clear-eyed, sober evaluation of the world. That is no time for pulling punches,” he mentioned.
Addressing the a number of “existential challenges” dealing with the world – from nuclear hazard to the local weather emergency and the dangers posed by unchecked synthetic intelligence – requires rather more to be executed throughout the board.
“It is going to require a severe dialog between developed and creating nations, between wealthy and rising economies, between north and south, east and west,” he said.
Reforms wanted
The Secretary-Normal referred to as for institutional reforms, beginning with the overhaul of the Security Council and the Bretton Woods Establishments – the World Financial institution and the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF).
Acknowledging the shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world, he emphasised the necessity for renewed, inclusive mechanisms of multilateral governance to stop multiplying dangers.
Wanting forward, Mr. Guterres highlighted the upcoming Summit of the Future in September, noting the significance of the New Agenda for Peace, the SDG Stimulus and the UN’s Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence.
He additionally emphasised the necessity of aligning establishments with the current instances and preserving ideas equivalent to respect for the UN Charter, worldwide regulation and worldwide humanitarian regulation.
State of affairs in Gaza
In addressing speedy crises, Mr. Guterres expressed explicit concern for ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and in Gaza, the place “the state of affairs simply retains getting worse” and UN humanitarian operations proceed to face denials of entry, delays and risks – together with dwell fireplace.
“Let’s be clear: Denial of humanitarian entry means denial of humanitarian aid for civilians,” he confused.
The Secretary-Normal additionally expressed deep issues over stories that the Israeli army intends to focus subsequent on Rafah.
“Half of Gaza’s inhabitants is now crammed into Rafah. They’ve nowhere to go. They don’t have any properties – and so they don’t have any hope,” he mentioned, calling for an instantaneous humanitarian ceasefire, unconditional launch of hostages and concrete steps in the direction of a two-State answer consistent with UN resolutions and worldwide regulation.
Peace is indispensable
Mr. Guterres concluded by stressing that peace, in each sense, is indispensable for the Center East and the world.
He emphasised the urgency of motion, asserting that the world can’t afford to attend for the mandatory adjustments.
Wars in Sudan, Ukraine
Responding to a query on the state of affairs in Sudan, the place rival militaries have been embroiled in a bloody conflict since April, with devastating penalties for civilians, the Secretary-Normal mentioned that there is no such thing as a army answer to the battle.
He added that the UN is working with the east African regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Growth (IGAD), the African Union (AU) and the Arab League on a regional strategy to the disaster.
On a query on the conflict in Ukraine, which can mark its second anniversary on 24 February, Mr. Guterres mentioned that the UN “will go on doing every part we are able to” for peace within the nation, primarily based on the UN Constitution and on worldwide regulation.
DPRK missile launches
In response to a query on missile launches by the Democratic Individuals’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and tensions within the area, the Secretary-Normal “strongly condemned” the violations of the sanctions in addition to the nation’s makes an attempt to launch missiles or develop nuclear weapons.
It’s “completely important” that the DPRK abides by the related Safety Council resolutions, he mentioned, including additionally that it’s “unacceptable” that the Japanese hostages taken by the nation have remained in captivity for many years, with none info.
Summit of the Future outcomes
Requested about his expectations for the Summit of the Future Mr. Guterres said that the UN has offered its proposals and it’s as much as the Member States to take choices.
“I would love for the Summit of the Future to approve the important thing features of the New Agenda for Peace”, he mentioned, including that he wish to see a extra holistic type of prevention and vital measures, equivalent to for brand new sorts of weapons and nuclear disarmament.
He additionally expressed his hopes for some optimistic reforms of the Safety Council, and “clear indication” concerning the want reform for the worldwide monetary structure.
“What we wish is to achieve conscience that our establishments are outdated, and we have to have multilateralism that’s rather more inclusive and tailored to the realities of right now,” he mentioned.