UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the Middle East is being “pushed to breaking point”, citing shipping attacks, rising oil prices and a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
Speaking at a ceremony in Türkiye where he received the Atatürk International Award for Peace, Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and urged countries involved in the conflict to return to diplomacy.
He stressed that all combatants must halt hostilities, respect international law, protect civilians and urgently return to the negotiating table.
“Around the world, we hear much talk of peace, but we see far too little of it,” Guterres said.
“International law continues to be trampled, power politics are gaining ground [and] inequalities are growing.
“New technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), risk accelerating violence rather than preventing it. Military spending is skyrocketing, while lifesaving aid is in freefall.”
Guterres warned that civilians are paying the highest price, with rising death tolls and communities being devastated by the ongoing violence.
“The massive military strikes launched by the United States and Israel and the subsequent attacks by Iran on so many countries constitute a grave threat to international peace and security and has caused immense suffering for civilians.
“The region is being pushed to the breaking point,” he stressed.
According to him, the consequences are “cascading around the world” amid disrupted trade, rising energy and food prices and deepening insecurity and instability.
“As always, the most vulnerable are being hurt first and worst,” he said.
“The region and the world desperately need an off-ramp”, Guterres said, adding, de-escalation and dialogue are the only way out.
“As always, the most vulnerable are being hurt first and worst,” the UN chief said.
“The region and the world desperately need an off-ramp.”
Guterres said his visit to Türkiye was part of his annual solidarity trip to a Muslim-majority nation during the holy month of Ramadan.
“These visits are a powerful reminder, to me and to the world, of the true spirit of Islam: compassion, community and empathy,” he said.
“This Ramadan, I felt strongly that my solidarity visit must be here, in Türkiye.
“I came to shine a global spotlight on the extraordinary and generous spirit of the Turkish people.”
He added that he accepted the award on behalf of United Nations staff, recognising their humanitarian efforts worldwide and honouring aid workers who lost their lives while delivering assistance.
“Together, let us give peace a chance,” he said.
