UN Secretary-General calls for embracing dialogue and making efforts to reach peaceful settlements to conflicts

New York, July 23 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Thursday to keep channels of dialogue open and to invoke a spirit of compromise, which is essential for achieving peace, and to spare no effort in reaching peaceful settlements for conflicts. This came in a speech delivered by Guterres at a meeting of the UN Security Council convened to follow up on the implementation of Resolution 2788 (2025), which urges all member states to make effective use of the peaceful settlement mechanisms for disputes set forth in the UN Charter.

Guterres highlighted the peaceful dispute settlement tools outlined in Article 33 of the Charter, which include negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, recourse to regional agencies or arrangements, and any other peaceful means chosen by the parties. He stated that "these tools were not designed for times of consensus, but for times when consensus seems out of reach," pointing to the increasing number, complexity, duration, and scope of conflicts, as well as the alarming disregard for international law.

Guterres added that "when parties allow military solutions to prevail over negotiated settlements, civilians bear the greatest cost," citing the Middle East as a clear example, with devastating consequences for the region and the world as a whole. He stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict and that fighting must stop across the region, with full restoration of the rights and freedoms of international navigation in the Hormuz Strait and Bab al-Mandab straits and their surrounding areas. He affirmed that "diplomacy is the only way forward."

The Secretary-General also addressed the situation in the Gaza Strip, stating that "despite the so-called ceasefire, civilians continue to pay a heavy price every day." He noted that civilians are being killed in their communities and while going about their daily lives, amid increasing Israeli occupation control over the Strip. Citing an analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), he explained that while humanitarian aid plays a vital role in saving lives, the number of people facing high levels of food insecurity is expected to rise to 1.4 million in the coming months, equivalent to about 70 percent of the population.

Regarding the occupied West Bank, Guterres said the area is witnessing a "creeping annexation process accompanied by violence, settlement expansion, intensive Israeli military operations, and large-scale displacement." He pointed out that conflicts in Ukraine, the Sahel region, Sudan, and many other areas are causing immense suffering, disrupting livelihoods, and uprooting populations, leaving severe humanitarian consequences.

The Secretary-General focused on six areas for action through which collective mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes can be strengthened. He clarified that the first area involves enhancing the full scope of good offices and supporting mediation efforts undertaken by the UN Secretariat, highlighting the UN system’s work in Sudan to encourage restraint and help prevent escalation. Guterres called for maximizing the use of the network of regional offices and UN envoys, and expanding it where appropriate.

He emphasized that the Security Council must not neglect its responsibility to act early and decisively, warning that activating Chapter VI tools of the UN Charter at the earliest possible stage could help de-escalate tensions, encourage restraint, and prevent conflicts from spiraling out of control. He urged the Security Council to carry out fact-finding missions more regularly.

He noted that Resolution 2788 underscores the importance of integrating a comprehensive approach to the peaceful settlement of disputes, starting with ensuring the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women at all levels of decision-making. In conclusion, the Secretary-General called on every member state to play its part, affirming that steps toward the peaceful settlement of disputes contribute to building trust and creating space for the vital political participation of the UN, regional organizations, and multilateral alliances. (End) A.S.T./F.A.S.