New york: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and continued efforts toward a two-state solution, which is the only viable solution to peace in the Middle East.
According to Qatar News Agency, in his address at the start of the High-Level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly's 80th session, Guterres stressed that the horrors in Gaza are approaching their third year, and the scale of death and destruction exceeds any other conflict. He noted that famine has been declared in Gaza despite the International Court of Justice's declaration of measures, and that these measures must be implemented immediately.
He also emphasized that nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people and the systematic destruction of their livelihood. Guterres stated that the scale of death and destruction in Gaza exceeds any other conflict he has witnessed during his tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations, highlighting the need to implement the legally binding provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the case: "Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip."
Guterres also warned about the situation in Sudan, stating that civilians are being killed, starved, and silenced, with women and girls facing violence. He stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict and urged all parties to end foreign support that fuels the bloodshed in Sudan and to push for the protection of civilians.
He further expressed concern over the challenges faced by the United Nations, noting that its principles are under siege and the pillars of peace and progress are crumbling. He emphasized that without effective multilateral institutions, the world will descend into chaos.
Reflecting on the history of the United Nations, Guterres reminded that 80 years ago, world leaders chose cooperation over chaos, law over lawlessness, and peace over conflict, leading to the creation of the United Nations. He described the organization as a moral compass, a force for peace, a protector of international law, a catalyst for sustainable development, a lifeline for people in crises, and a beacon for human rights.
Addressing the current global challenges, Guterres questioned the nature of the world we will choose, suggesting that an increasingly multipolar world could be positive but warns that without effective multilateral institutions, it could lead to chaos.
The UN Secretary-General urged UN Member States to make five choices: peace rooted in international law, human dignity and human rights, climate justice, technology at the service of humanity, and strengthening the United Nations for the 21st century. He stressed that peace is the first commitment, adding that impunity is the mother of chaos.