Key Takeaways
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised Pakistan's efforts to reduce tensions and promote dialogue.
- The UN resolution, presented by Pakistan during its presidency of the UNSC, aims to strengthen peaceful dispute settlement mechanisms.
- Guterres warned that military solutions cannot deliver lasting peace in regions facing escalating conflicts.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has commended Pakistan's diplomatic initiatives at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting their importance amid rising tensions across the Middle East and beyond. In an address during a UNSC open debate, Guterres emphasized the need for restraint and protection of civilians while calling for renewed commitment to diplomacy.
The resolution, which was adopted unanimously by the UNSC last year under Pakistan's presidency, seeks to enhance the use of peaceful means available under the UN Charter, including negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and judicial settlement. This initiative aligns with Pakistan’s stance that diplomacy should serve as a preventive measure rather than merely a reactive tool.
Speaking at the UNSC debate, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Islamabad's permanent representative to the UN, expressed profound appreciation for Guterres' recommendations. He stated that sustained implementation of these proposals would not only strengthen mechanisms for peaceful settlement but also reinforce the UN Charter’s principles. The ambassador noted that Resolution 2788 was conceived in the spirit that diplomacy must be a proactive instrument, not one used after peace has failed.
Guterres warned that military solutions are inadequate to address the complex conflicts currently escalating across the region. He emphasized the need for restraint and highlighted the unacceptable nature of attacks on civilian infrastructure. The UN chief also called for an end to fighting in the Middle East and the restoration of international navigational rights, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.
In recognition of Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, Guterres acknowledged the country’s mediation role and the work being done by regional countries to reduce tensions and create space for dialogue. He stressed that these efforts must be supported and strengthened to achieve a peaceful and durable settlement.
The secretary-general also addressed developments in the occupied West Bank, noting ongoing issues such as creeping annexation with violence, settlement expansion, extensive Israeli military operations, and large-scale displacement. These concerns underscore the complexity of regional conflicts and the need for sustained diplomatic engagement.
Ambassador Ahmad highlighted that Resolution 2788 carries significance far beyond today's meeting, potentially helping to restore conflict prevention and resolution to its rightful place at the heart of the United Nations. He emphasized that these recommendations could translate the promise of Chapter VI into practical action.
I want to recognise the mediation of Pakistan and countries in the region working to reduce tensions and create space for dialogue.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
