What is needed now in the region more than anything is a way out. To that end, the Secretary-General again calls for de-escalation, an immediate cessation of hostilities, and genuine dialogue and negotiations, in line with the Charter of the United Nations. Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-02-28/remarks-the-secretary-general-the-security-council-meeting-the-situation-the-middle-east-delivered

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, read a statement from the Secretary-General, on the situation in the Middle East.

The Secretary-General condemns the incident on Friday, 6 March, which resulted in three Ghanaian peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) being injured inside their position in Al Qawzah, southwestern Lebanon, amidst heavy firing. He wishes a swift and full recovery to the injured peacekeepers. The Secretary-General underscores that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be respected at all times, and that those responsible must be held accountable. The inviolability of UN installations must be respected by all. The United Nations urges the parties to de-escalate immediately and fully adhere to their obligations under Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-03-06/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-unifil

Ladies and gentlemen of the media. I have come to Beirut with a message to the Lebanese people, to the warring parties, and to the world. Above all, I am here on a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon. Muslim communities are observing Ramadan, and Christian communities are observing Lent. This is a season for solidarity, generosity, and a powerful reminder of Lebanon’s spirit of confessional co-existence. It breaks my heart to see this period shattered by escalating violence. Over the past two weeks, we have seen widespread destruction. Hizbullah rockets and drones were launched at targets in northern Israel and the occupied Syrian Golan. This was followed by devastating Israeli bombing operations and blanket evacuation notices, rendering large portions of Lebanon uninhabitable. Many Israelis were sent to shelter. Hundreds of Lebanese have been killed, including many children. And many more have been wounded. And hundreds of thousands of civilians are fleeing with nothing but what they can carry. I was deeply saddened by the testimonies of the displaced people when I visited a shelter today. The south risks being turned into a wasteland. Southern Beirut – which is under sweeping evacuation orders by Israel – risks being bombed to oblivion. The Bekaa and Baalbek – and other areas – are scenes of destruction and panic. It is tragic to see all this happening in a country that has contributed so much to world civilization. The Lebanese people did not choose this war. They were dragged into it. My message to the warring parties is clear: Stop the fighting. Stop the bombing. There is no military solution – only diplomacy, dialogue and the full implementation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions. The diplomatic avenues are available – including through my Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and through key Member States. This is the pathway to spare communities on both sides of the Blue Line more needless suffering. Just over a year ago, a cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel was achieved. It did not resolve all outstanding issues – and it was not fully respected. While the parties reiterated their commitment to the full implementation of Resolution 1701, violations persisted by both sides. Violence did not end. And the territorial integrity of Lebanon continued to be violated. There was more a “lesser fire” than a real ceasefire. But the November 2024 arrangement did bring significant relief and offered a renewed opportunity to advance political dialogue. Unfortunately, that opportunity was not fully seized. We are doing everything we can now to bring about an immediate de-escalation and a cessation of hostilities. My Special Coordinator is engaging with all actors around the clock to bring the parties to the table. UNIFIL peacekeepers – under the command of General Abagnara – remain in position. They are maintaining an impartial international peacekeeping presence along the Blue Line and throughout the Area of Operations, to fulfill the mandate entrusted to them by the Security Council, and to support the local populations. I want to pay tribute to their courage. Last Friday, three Blue Helmets serving with the Ghanaian contingent were injured, one seriously - I visited him today at the hospital - amid intense exchanges of fire. I wish them a full and speedy recovery. Attacks against peacekeepers and positions are completely unacceptable and they must stop. They are in breach of international law and may constitute war crimes. Moreover, civilians must be respected and protected at all times – and civilian infrastructure must be spared. Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. The State must have full control over weapons throughout Lebanese territory. This is a central tenet of Resolution 1701 – and a sine qua non to lasting security on both sides of the Blue Line. Last August, the Government of Lebanon took a historic decision to establish state monopoly of arms throughout the country. We will continue to support the efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and other State security services. But the vision of resolution 1701 cannot be brought to life by the army, alone. It requires a whole-of-government effort to address the entrenched reality of non-state arms – and to heal long-standing grievances and divisions. And it must include every community in Lebanon – Christian, Druze, Shiite, Sunni, and others. It is imperative that Hizbullah respects the government’s decision to assert the state’s monopoly of arms, as well as all relevant Security Council Resolutions, including 1701. And it is imperative that Israel respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. The war must stop. Finally, my message to the international community is simply: step up your engagement. Empower the Lebanese State, and support the Lebanese Armed Forces to secure the capabilities and resources they need. Respond generously to the humanitarian appeal launched yesterday to provide the government of Lebanon with the resources needed to intensify its support to the populations affected. The people of Lebanon – as well as Israel and all other peoples throughout the region – deserve to live without fear. To raise their children without the sound of sirens and strikes. To return home without wondering when they have to flee again. Our team on the ground is working to do everything they can to support the Lebanese people and institutions. I am deeply grateful to all UN colleagues for their commitment and dedication. Together, we will spare no effort in striving for the peaceful future that Lebanon and this region so richly deserve. Thank you. *** https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-events/2026-03-14/secretary-generals-press-conference-beirut

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/highlight/2026-03-03.html

Your Excellency, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Dear children, To you Mr. President, to the people and Government of Türkiye, I express my profound thanks. Çok teşekkür ederim. Along with my gratitude, I am also here with a profound sense of responsibility. I am keenly aware that the recognition comes at a time of immense suffering in this region and beyond, terrible conflicts, deepening geopolitical divisions, and eroding trust in global cooperation. The Atatürk International Peace Award is a recognition that peace is more than a noble vision. Peace is a rallying cry. It is a call to action. And I am honoured to accept the Award, and I ask you Mr. President, to allow me to do it also on behalf of the staff of the United Nations who answer that call every day. Dedicated women and men striving to advance the cause of peace, sustainable development, and human rights around the globe. Humanitarians delivering aid to the world’s most desperate places. Peacekeepers helping sustain fragile ceasefires. Mediators working patiently to bridge divides. Human rights defenders and development experts strengthening communities and protecting rights. This award honours them. And with this prestigious recognition, you also pay tribute to the memory of UN colleagues who lost their lives. And allow me a special word to the hundreds of UN colleagues who perished in Gaza trying to support the people in Gaza, but finding death in their efforts. Thank you Mr. President for all what all this means. And indeed the meaning of this award is inseparable from the life and legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Through hardship and leadership, Atatürk understood that peace does not emerge by chance. It is a deliberate choice – anchored in social cohesion and sustained through international cooperation. Yurtta barış, dünyada barış. His vision of “peace at home, peace in the world” captures the spirit of the United Nations Charter itself. Atatürk’s commitment to social progress, equality, and the welfare of all resonates deeply with the mission of the United Nations. And that legacy lives on today through the Turkish people. This is the reason why I wanted to be here with all of you during the holy month of Ramadan. Throughout my two decades in the United Nations family, I have observed a personal Ramadan tradition: making a solidarity visit to a Muslim community and sharing in the fast. These visits are a powerful reminder, to me and to the world, of the true spirit of Islam: compassion, community and empathy. This Ramadan, I felt strongly that my solidarity visit must be here, in Türkiye. And I came to shine a global spotlight on the extraordinary and generous spirit of the Turkish people. At a time of unprecedented displacement, Türkiye opened its doors and its communities to millions forced to flee violence and persecution. And during my 10 years as High Commissioner for Refugees, no other country received more people crossing borders in search of safety. And nowhere were they treated and protected as well as in Türkiye. Türkiye stood first. I will never forget seeing the Turkish people’s solidarity in action during my visits to places like Mardin, Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep – where local communities offered safety, dignity, and hope. And as Secretary-General, I continue to see the people of Türkiye bringing the Atatürk legacy to life. In the wake of the devastating 2023 earthquakes, as Turkish and UN teams worked side-by-side to save lives and rebuild communities – not only in Türkiye but also in Syria. In moments of global turmoil, when Türkiye’s leadership helped make possible the Black Sea Grain Initiative – stabilizing food markets, restoring shipments to developing countries, and feeding millions. I have seen Türkiye’s global leadership in championing zero waste initiatives – and I commend the First Lady’s efforts – along with preparations to host the COP 31 UN Climate Conference later this year. And I have seen Türkiye’s relentless advocacy for the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. I commend Türkiye for helping to mediate the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. As I have said many times, nothing can justify the horror of October 7 – but nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza were unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General. And to this day, Palestinians continue to endure grave suffering with so many restrictions imposed on humanitarian aid in Gaza, amid a worrying expansion of settlement activities in the occupied West Bank. Humanitarian access must be safe, sustained and unimpeded. And beyond that, the occupation must end, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice. The inalienable rights of the Palestinian people must be realized. International law must be respected, and accountability ensured. And we must stay focused on the political horizon. There is no viable alternative to the Two-State solution – Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace, security and dignity. We cannot allow it to be stolen before our eyes. Mr. President, Excellencies, Dear Friends, Around the world, we hear much talk of peace – but we see far too little of it. International law continues to be trampled. Power politics are gaining ground. Inequalities are growing. And new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, risk accelerating violence rather than preventing it. Military spending is skyrocketing, while lifesaving aid is in freefall. And through it all, civilians keep paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities. The unfolding crisis in the Middle East stands as a most tragic example. The massive military strikes launched by the United States and Israel – and the subsequent attacks by Iran on so many countries, which were strongly condemned by the Security Council yesterday – constitute a grave threat to international peace and security and has caused immense suffering for civilians. The region is being pushed to the breaking point. And the consequences are cascading around the world: disrupted trade, rising energy and food prices, deepening insecurity and instability. As always, the most vulnerable are being hurt first and worst. The region and the world desperately need an off-ramp. De-escalation and dialogue are the only way out. And I strongly urge all parties to cease the hostilities, uphold international law, protect civilians, and return immediately to the negotiating table. Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Dear children, As we come together in the spirit of peace, it is fitting to remember how this land has helped shape one of humanity’s earliest and most enduring lessons in reconciliation. More than three thousand years ago, in this region, adversaries faced a choice that confronts humanity to this day. They could continue the cycle of vengeance. Or they could choose another path. The choice, when it finally came, was hard-won. But they chose dialogue. From that choice came the Kadesh Treaty – one of the oldest known peace accords. Today, a replica of that Treaty offered by Türkiye stands just outside the Security Council chamber at the United Nations, in a space gifted to the world for dialogue. Every day, diplomats pass by it on their way to face the crises of our time. It carries a message that still speaks across millennia: a commitment among former enemies to lasting peace and to respect each other’s territory. It sets out practical cooperation – including mutual help and agreed rules on extradition, reminding us that peace endures when it is backed by clear commitments and shared responsibilities. The story of the Kadesh Treaty is not confined to history books. It lives among all those who strive to build bridges – between conflict and compromise … between suffering and hope … between nations that understand their futures are bound together. Your recognition this evening is a message – to the United Nations and to all, to advocate for peace. A message to persevere through the dark times. A message to keep pushing against cynicism, division, and despair. A message to renew our commitment to international cooperation. A message to rise to this moment with solidarity and resolve. And to carry forward Atatürk’s vision in our time: Peace at home, peace in the world. Thank you once again, Mr. President, for this high honour. And together, let us give peace a chance. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-03-12/secretary-generals-remarks-upon-receiving-the-ataturk-international-peace-award-delivered

Dear Prime Minister, Excellencies, colleagues, partners, I am here on a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon. Solidarity in words must be matched by solidarity in action. That is why I am pleased to join all of you today as we launch a Flash Humanitarian Appeal of 308.3 million US dollars to support the people of Lebanon. This aid is urgently needed. The military escalation across the region is taking a terrible toll, including in Lebanon. Hundreds of civilians here in Lebanon have been killed, including many children. Entire communities have been uprooted. Lives have been turned upside down. Evacuation orders now extend across more of the country than ever before. Access to food, water, health care, education, and basic services has been dangerously disrupted. More than 816,000 people have been displaced inside Lebanon. And more than 90,000 people – mostly Syrians, but also Lebanese – have crossed into Syria. In the face of this upheaval, we have seen exceptional courage and solidarity on the ground. Schools have opened their doors to shelter displaced families. Health workers continue to serve under immense pressure. And communities are showing resilience, even after being displaced time and again. United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners are working closely with national authorities to respond with urgency – delivering hot meals, safe drinking water, hygiene supplies, and essential relief items. These efforts are saving lives. But they need a big boost of support. The Flash Appeal we launch today will sustain and expand life saving assistance over the next three months – including food, clean water, health care, education, protection, and other vital services. Its success depends on swift, flexible funding – and on ensuring that humanitarian workers can safely reach those most in need. Allow me to close on this note. Across the country, Muslim families are observing the holy month of Ramadan, and Christian families are marking Lent. These are seasons rooted in compassion and generosity. They reflect the very spirit of the people of Lebanon. For years, Lebanon has opened the doors to those fleeing conflict. The people of Lebanon have shown the world the true meaning of hospitality, solidarity and resilience. Now, the world must show the people of Lebanon our strongest support in this hour of grave danger and profound need. These are immediate needs. But there will be a lot that Lebanon needs in solidarity from the international community. Helping to establish and immediate ceasefire that both sides must accept, creating the conditions for negotiations that will allow Lebanon to become in the shortest possible period, a country that sees its territorial integrity fully respected and where the state has the monopoly of the use of force. And the United Nations stands ready to support the government in the courageous program that you have in front of you. Thank you very much. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-03-13/secretary-generals-remarks-the-launch-of-the-flash-humanitarian-appeal-for-lebanon

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-02-28/statement-the-secretary-general-iran

Highlights of today's noon briefing [05 March 2026]: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight