UN Secretary-General Warns of Widening Conflicts and Escalating Global Humanitarian and Economic Impacts

New York, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the escalation and spread of conflicts are exacerbating humanitarian suffering and deepening inequalities worldwide, as the repercussions of wars extend to energy markets, supply chains, and global financial systems.

Speaking to journalists at UN headquarters on the eve of his trip to Egypt on Friday, Guterres said the fallout from conflicts is now transcending the areas where they originate, affecting the lives of people around the world. He pointed to growing frustration among populations globally due to rising living costs and shrinking opportunities for young people to secure a better future.

He highlighted that protracted conflicts, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, have seen continuous attacks targeting homes, hospitals, schools, airports, and energy facilities, calling for an end to such violations, respect for international law, and the protection of civilians.

On the Yemeni file, Guterres expressed concern over the escalation of hostilities in the vicinity of Taiz and the continued Houthi attacks on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia, urging restraint and the pursuit of a political horizon to end the conflict.

Regarding the occupied Palestinian territories, he noted the ongoing strict restrictions imposed by the occupying Israeli entity on the entry of essential aid into the Gaza Strip as winter approaches, as well as daily attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank aimed at displacing communities from their lands.

He pointed out that the World Food Programme requires $450 million to provide food for the populations of Gaza and the West Bank over the next six months, an amount equivalent to what the world spends on its militaries in about 90 minutes.

Guterres renewed his call for increased humanitarian funding and the establishment of a political process leading to lasting peace, an end to occupation, and the realization of a two-state solution.

Regarding his upcoming visit to Egypt, the Secretary-General stated that it would focus on the necessity of halting the expansion of war, protecting civilians, and creating space for diplomacy and peace. He affirmed that Cairo plays a crucial role in efforts to resolve the Middle East crisis, particularly in defending the rights of the Palestinian people, as well as its role as a mediator in efforts to resolve the conflict between the United States and Iran.

He added that he would discuss the situations in neighboring countries, including Sudan and Libya, with Egyptian officials, expressing confidence that the visit would be highly productive. (End) A.S.T. / M.M.J.