United Nations: Mechanisms for peaceful conflict resolution were designed for times like these, and civilians pay the highest price for military solutions

This call came in his speech before a meeting of the UN Security Council to follow up on the implementation Resolution No. 2788 of 2025 Which urges all Member States to make effective use of the mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes provided for in United Nations Charter.

The meeting also focused on identifying best practices and gaps in those mechanisms, and exploring how diplomacy and mediation can build trust and prevent conflicts.

The Secretary-General referred to the tools for peaceful settlement of disputes enumerated in Article 33 of the Charter, including negotiations, investigation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, regional agencies or arrangements, and any other peaceful means chosen by the parties.

Guterres said: “These tools were not designed for times of consensus, but rather for times when consensus seems elusive.”adding that “In other words, built for times like these.”.

The situation is getting out of control

The Secretary-General of the United Nations pointed to the increasing number of conflicts, their complexity, duration and scope, as well as a disturbing disregard for international law. He added that “When parties prioritize military solutions over negotiated settlements, civilians pay the highest price.”.

He pointed out that this is evident in the Middle East, with devastating consequences in the region and throughout the world.

He went on to say: “The situation is getting out of control, and is on the verge of the unimaginable. The region is being drawn into an ever-expanding circle of confrontation. One crisis fuels another, and one escalation sparks the next escalation.”.

He stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict, that fighting must stop everywhere in the region, and that international navigation rights and freedoms must be fully restored in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and their surrounding areas, adding: “Diplomacy is the only way forward”.

Serious humanitarian consequences

The Secretary-General spoke about the situation in the Gaza Strip, saying: “Despite the so-called ceasefire, civilians are still paying a heavy price every day.”.

He warned that people are being killed in their homes and communities and while practicing normal daily life activities, in light of Israel’s increasing control over the Strip.

He cited the analysis issued by the Integrated Interim Classification of Food Security, saying that despite the impact of humanitarian aid in saving lives, the number of people facing high levels of food insecurity is expected to rise in the coming months to reach 1.4 million people, equivalent to about 70% of the population.

Regarding the occupied West Bank, Guterres said: “We are witnessing a creeping annexation process accompanied by violence, settlement expansion, intense Israeli military operations, and large-scale displacement.”.

In Ukraine, the Sahel, Sudan and many other places, conflicts are causing enormous suffering, disrupting livelihoods, and uprooting people from their homes, with dire humanitarian consequences.

Six areas of work

The Secretary-General of the United Nations focused on six areas of action through which he said collective mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes could be strengthened, as follows:

⬅️ Strengthening the full range of good offices and support for mediation undertaken by the United Nations Secretariat. He gave an example of what the United Nations is doing in Sudan, where the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General is communicating with the parties concerned to encourage restraint and help prevent escalation.

⬅️ The need to make the most of the network of regional UN offices and UN envoys, and expand it wherever appropriate.

⬅️ The Security Council must not lose sight of its responsibility to act early and decisively. Guterres said that by activating the tools of Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter at the earliest possible stage, the Council can help ease tensions, encourage restraint, and prevent conflicts from getting out of control.

⬅️ The Security Council should undertake fact-finding missions more regularly.

⬅️ Resolution 2788 stresses the importance of incorporating comprehensive approaches in the peaceful settlement of disputes. Guterres noted that this begins with ensuring women’s full, equal and meaningful participation at all levels of decision-making.

⬅️ Calling on each member state to play its role. In this regard, the Secretary-General said that by taking steps towards the peaceful settlement of disputes, Member States build confidence and strengthen the space for the vital political participation of the United Nations, as well as the participation of regional and multilateral organizations and alliances.