‘Peace Is A Choice': UN Chief Urges Diplomacy As Wars Spread From Gaza To Ukraine
This is the only sustainable path to global security, he told ministers at a high-level open debate of the Security Council on Tuesday.
The Secretary-General emphasised that the UN Charter 's tools – negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and more – remain a lifeline when tensions escalate, grievances fester and states lose trust in each other.
These tools are needed now more than ever, he stressed, as conflicts rage and international law is violated with impunity.
' The cost is staggering – measured in human lives, shattered communities and lost futures. We need look no further than the horror show in Gaza – with a level of death and destruction without parallel in recent times.'
The risk of starvation looms and aid operations are being denied the space and safety to function. UN premises, such as the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the World Health Organization (WHO)'s main warehouse, have been hit despite parties being notified of their locations.
'These premises are inviolable and must be protected under international humanitarian law – without exception,' Mr. Guterres reiterated.
Peace is a choice – make it
From Gaza to Ukraine, from the Sahel to Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar, 'conflict is raging, international law is being trampled, and hunger and displacement are at record levels,' he continued, adding that terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime also remain 'persistent scourges' pushing security further out of reach.
' Peace is a choice. And the world expects the Security Council to help countries make this choice. '
Mr. Guterres pointed to the UN Charter's bedrock obligation in Article 2.3 that 'all Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means', and to Chapter VI, which empowers the Security Council to support 'negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice.'
Action 16 of last year's Pact for the Future urges states to recommit to preventive diplomacy, he said, commending Pakistan – the Council President for July – for tabling a resolution encouraging fuller use of those tools, which was adopted unanimously at the meeting.
P5 must overcome divisions
Security Council members – 'in particular its permanent members' – must overcome divisions, the Secretary-General said, reminding them that even during the Cold War, Council dialogue underpinned peacekeeping missions and humanitarian access, and helped prevent a third world war.
He urged members to keep channels open, build consensus and make the body 'more representative' of today's geopolitical realities with more inclusive, transparent and accountable working methods.
Mr. Guterres also urged deeper cooperation with regional and subregional organizations.
Mediation can work even amid war, he said, noting the third anniversary of the Black Sea Initiative and a related memorandum with Russia that enabled grain movements during the conflict in Ukraine.
Renew commitment to multilateralism
States must honour their obligations under the Charter; international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, Mr. Guterres said.
' As we mark the 80th anniversary of our Organization and the Charter that gave it life and shape, we need to renew our commitment to the multilateral spirit of peace through diplomacy,' he said.
' I look forward to working with you to achieve the international peace and security the people of the world need and deserve. '
Security Council open debate
A signature event of the Pakistani presidency, Tuesday's open debate was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
The session aimed to assess the effectiveness of existing mechanisms for pacific dispute settlement, examine best practices and explore new strategies for tackling protracted conflicts.
It also sought to enhance cooperation with regional organizations, boost capacity-building and resource mobilisation, and align future efforts with the conflict-prevention vision outlined in the Pact for the Future.
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