New York, 24 March 2022 (TDI): The United Nations notes that Middle Eastern countries are facing increasing food prices. Much of the attention has been diverted away from this issue amidst the Russia Ukraine conflict said the Chief of the UN to the Security Council on Wednesday.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres said that there needs to be increased cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab Nations which encompasses 22 countries including Syria and Lebanon.
On Wednesday, both the General Assembly and the Security Council met on the war in Ukraine following the Russian invasion a month ago. https://t.co/l1TGbLwOid
— United Nations (@UN) March 24, 2022
He added that both parties remain united in their pursuit of multilateral answers to the cascading challenges faced by the Arab world and Beyond.
Additionally, he also highlighted the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict as well as the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and the political turmoil in Libya.
Many countries within this region import their wheat from Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing conflict has caused the provision of this commodity to fall considerably.
Supply chain disruptions have put further strain on food, fuel, and fertilizer prices. These conditions hit the poorest people hardest.
We need to stand together in support of multilateral peaceful solutions, now more than ever.
Strengthening cooperation with @arableague_gs & other regional organizations will improve multilateralism globally.
My remarks to the Security Council: https://t.co/4YaJNX57n8
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 24, 2022
Yemen, Libya, and Syria
Guterres said that the ongoing conditions could cause political unrest throughout the world. Sri Lanka is already facing such a situation as food and fuel prices continue to rise.
He stressed the need to help the people of Yemen as over 20 million people are in dire need of humanitarian aid and protection. The Secretary-General acknowledged the United Nations’ efforts to deescalate the situation in Libya.
The league was able to achieve a ceasefire in October 2020, but the urged members to continue prioritizing agreement on peacetime constitution.
Syria continues to face the effects of the decades-long war, Guterres said that the Syrian people feel abandoned by the world, he stressed the need to formulate sustainable peace within the country and to listen to the voices and needs of the Syrian people.
He also added that the UN is committed to finding a peaceful resolution for the Palestine and Israel conflict.
