UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to reporters about the program of his meetings and the goals of this year's High-Level Week at a press conference that took place at the headquarters of the international organization.
Mr. Guterres called on leaders to turn it into a "week of solutions," not impressions.
"Some call it the World Cup of diplomacy," said Mr. Guterres, but stressed that this week "cannot be about scoring points, but must be about solving problems."
With "widening geopolitical divisions, raging conflicts and international cooperation under unprecedented pressure," Mr. Guterres called on countries to use the abundance of meetings in New York for practical agreements.
"UN week offers every possibility for dialogue and mediation, every opportunity to find solutions," he noted.
The Secretary-General's priorities at the upcoming Summit will be a ceasefire and a path to peace in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan, stronger action to address climate change, launching a Global Dialogue on the Governance of Artificial Intelligence, tangible progress on the women and girls agenda (Beijing+30) and support for the UN80 initiative for the modernization of the UN.
Over 150 bilateral contacts are expected to bridge rifts and restart peace processes (Ukraine, Middle East, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Cyprus issue, etc.).
Regarding the Cyprus issue, Mr. Guterres said that he will have meetings with the leaders of both sides, while regarding the prospect of resuming talks, he said that "I am not optimistic, I am not pessimistic; I am determined. I will not give up."
The Secretary General's goal is to keep the mediation channel open and contribute to restarting the process.
On the Palestinian issue, he reiterated that the legal determination of genocide belongs to the international court (ICJ), noting the ongoing case. He described the situation in Gaza as “morally, politically and legally unacceptable” due to the mass deaths of civilians, widespread destruction, displacement and obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid. He condemned Hamas’s attacks in October and advocated for a future disarmed Palestinian state under the Palestinian Authority.
He called for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid. He is open to meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and hopes that US-Qatar efforts will lead to serious negotiations.
Regarding cooperation with the US, he noted that the UN “does not have carrots and sticks,” while the US does—and the combination can strengthen mediation. It is noted that on the sidelines of the Summit, Mr. Guterres will meet for the first time with US President Donald Trump.
Regarding the end of the war in Ukraine, Mr. Guterres does not appear optimistic in the short term, as the positions of the two sides are incompatible. Any ceasefire, he said, must lead to a solution based on the UN Charter, international law and the resolutions of the General Assembly.
Responding to a question about Afghanistan, he described the Taliban's exclusion of women and girls as "unacceptable" and "stupid," calling for humanitarian access and gender equality.
He praised the work of UNIFIL, called on Israel to respect the ceasefire and withdraw from its positions inside Lebanon, and supported the Lebanese government's goal of a monopoly on the use of lawful force.
Regarding UN reform, he admitted the "paralysis" of the UN due to existing geopolitical divisions, while defending the value of the UN as a whole (humanitarian action, leadership in addressing climate change, limits on Artificial Intelligence, support for fair economic development).
Mr. Guterres also stated that he views positively the proposals that have been submitted towards limiting the possibility of using the veto by the five Permanent Members of the UNSC.
Source: protothema.gr
