Baghdad, Iraq – May 2025 — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the region.
Speaking at the opening of the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad, Guterres delivered a strong appeal for peace and legal accountability in the region.
“We reject the repeated displacement of the Gaza population, and we clearly reject any notion of forced displacement outside Gaza,” he said. “Annexation is illegal. Settlements are illegal.”
The UN chief reiterated his long-standing support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
“Only a two-state solution can deliver sustainable peace,” he stated. “The world, the region, and most of all, the people of Palestine and Israel cannot afford to watch this solution slip away.”
Broader Regional Concerns
In his address, Guterres also touched on broader Middle East and North African conflicts, expressing concern and hope for resolution in:
- Lebanon, amid political and economic instability
- Syria, where civil war continues to cause widespread suffering
- Yemen, still grappling with humanitarian collapse
- Sudan, marked by intense violence and displacement
- Libya and Somalia, both facing prolonged insecurity and governance challenges
He urged renewed dialogue and international cooperation to address these crises and find just, negotiated solutions.
A Historic Gathering in Baghdad
The summit brought together leaders and senior diplomats from all 22 member states of the Arab League, along with representatives from international and regional organisations. It marks only the second time Iraq has hosted the Arab League Summit since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, following a previous summit held in 2012.
This year’s summit is seen as a critical platform for Arab nations to coordinate responses to regional conflicts and reaffirm support for Palestinian self-determination amid one of the most volatile periods in the region in recent years.
