Antonio Guterres Urges UN Security Council to Prioritize Diplomacy

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the UN Security Council in New York on July 23, 2026, urging member states to prioritize diplomacy and the "spirit of compromise" to resolve global conflicts. Guterres warned that international peace is threatened by an alarming disregard for international law and the increasing complexity of disputes in Ukraine, Sudan, and the Sahel.

Focusing on the Middle East, Guterres stated that the situation is "approaching the edge of the unimaginable" and asserted that there is no military solution to the conflict. He called for an end to regional fighting and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, noting that food insecurity continues to affect 1.4 million people in Gaza despite a ceasefire. He further expressed concern over the "creeping annexation" of the occupied West Bank and demanded the restoration of international navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandeb.

To bolster the peaceful settlement of disputes under the UN Charter and Resolution 2788, Guterres proposed six specific strategies. These include strengthening UN mediation and good offices, expanding regional envoy networks, initiating earlier Security Council action, increasing fact-finding missions, ensuring the inclusive participation of women and youth, and requiring a greater commitment from all member states.