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UN Secretary-General Calls for Immediate and Unconditional Release of Hostages in Gaza
The refusal to accept a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians is unacceptable and denying statehood to the Palestinian people would indefinitely prolong the conflict; António Guterres
By Ivan Kaahwa
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the world’s lagging progress toward achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals, designed to leave no one behind. He noted a slowdown in efforts to combat poverty and hunger, posing a formidable challenge for G-77 developing countries grappling with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, escalating debts, and a pervasive cost-of-living crisis.
Guterres underscored the escalating challenges posed by climate disasters, emphasizing the urgent need for increased investment in sustainable development and climate action. While acknowledging the strength of South-South cooperation, he made it clear that such collaboration cannot replace the commitments of the global North in reducing poverty and inequality.
The Secretary-General issued a cautionary statement regarding the potential of digital technologies to exacerbate existing inequalities, citing the International Monetary Fund’s warning about the adverse effects of artificial intelligence.
Addressing ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and the Middle East, Guterres called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. He strongly condemned Israel’s military operations in response to terror attacks, deeming the civilian casualties, including UN staff, as unprecedented and utterly unacceptable. Guterres stressed the volatile nature of the Middle East, urging all possible efforts to prevent further conflict in the region.
He labeled the refusal to accept a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians as unacceptable, emphasizing that denying statehood to the Palestinian people would indefinitely prolong the conflict, becoming a major threat to global peace and security. Such denial, he warned, would exacerbate polarization and embolden extremists worldwide.
Commending Uganda for assuming leadership in the G-77 plus China, Guterres highlighted the group’s historical role in promoting South-South cooperation, alleviating poverty, and providing a powerful platform for developing countries on the global stage. He emphasized the crucial role of the G-77 + China, representing 80% of the world’s population, in fostering solidarity and partnership for a sustainable, peaceful, and just world.
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