UNSC urges dialogue, diplomacy to end Middle East conflict

– pledges support for UN Secretary General after Israel’s ban

Guyana has been appointed the coordinator of the Ten Elected members of the United Nations Security Council (E10) for October and following a meeting on Thursday, renewed calls for the parties to engage in dialogue and come to a diplomatic solution regarding the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
These calls were made by the Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, at the E10 Press Stakeout. According to Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, the E10 members are deeply concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
“?We condemn the current cycle of violence and call for an immediate end to all hostilities. We also call on all parties to respect their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law,” she stated.
The E10 coordinator added, “?We further emphasise that a diplomatic solution is the only appropriate way forward and urge all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, and ensure the protection of civilians.”
Ambassador Rodrigues further underscore the E10’s full support to the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, and the UN system.
This was after Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, on Wednesday barred SG Guterres from entering the country for not “unequivocally” condemning Iran’s missile attack on Israel.
Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday amid an escalation in fighting between Israel and its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, according to a Reuters report. Katz said the UN Secretary General’s failure to call out Iran made him persona non grata in Israel.
“Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as nearly all the countries of the world have done, does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil,” the Minister was quoted in the Reuters article.
Spokesperson for the Secretary General, Stéphane Dujarric, during his daily press briefing on Thursday, expressed appreciation for the E10’s support for the SG, simply saying “Thank you!”
On Wednesday, Dujarric said the announcement by the Israeli Minister was a “political statement” and demonstrative of just one more attack on UN staff from the Government of Israel.
Since the ban, however, there has been a widespread outpouring of support for SG Guterres from several UN Member States and associated bodies including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), of which Guyana was elected a non-permanent member for the 2024-2025 period.
The members of the Security Council on Thursday affirmed their full support for the UN SG, his important role and that of the wider UN.
In a statement, they underscored the need for all Member States to have a productive and effective relationship with the Secretary General and to refrain from any actions that would undermine his work and that of his office.
“The members of the Security Council further underscored that any decision not to engage with the UN Secretary General or the United Nations is counterproductive, especially in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East,” the UNSC said in the statement.
Only last week, President Dr Irfaan Ali, during his address, to the 79th United Nations General Assembly, emphasised the special responsibility the UN has for the security of small States and protection from foreign aggression.
“Peace, development and human rights are pillars of the United Nations… The UN must fulfil its role as a custodian of greater global peace, the foremost promoter of sustainable development and an unflinching protector of human rights, human dignity and international law,” the Guyanese Head of State had noted.