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The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has warned that the Middle East is approaching a critical point with escalating conflict, attacks on shipping routes, rising oil prices and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Guterres issued the warning while speaking in Türkiye during a ceremony where he received the Atatürk International Award for Peace. He urged parties involved in the conflict to halt hostilities and return to diplomacy.
According to him, there is widespread rhetoric about peace globally, but little real progress toward achieving it. He added that international law is increasingly being ignored while geopolitical power struggles and global inequalities continue to grow.
The UN chief also warned that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence could intensify violence rather than prevent it if not carefully managed. At the same time, he noted that global military spending is increasing while funding for humanitarian aid is declining.
“Around the world, we hear much talk of peace, but we see far too little of it,” Guterres said.
“International law continues to be trampled, power politics are gaining ground, and inequalities are growing.
“New technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), risk accelerating violence rather than preventing it. Military spending is skyrocketing, while lifesaving aid is in freefall.”
Guterres said civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, with rising death tolls and widespread destruction affecting communities across the region.
He described the large-scale military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, along with retaliatory attacks by Iran across several countries, as a serious threat to international peace and security that has caused significant suffering for civilians.
According to him, the impact of the conflict is already spreading beyond the region, disrupting trade routes and contributing to higher energy and food prices as well as growing insecurity worldwide.
His visit to Türkiye was part of his annual solidarity trip to a Muslim-majority country during the holy month of Ramadan, serving as a reminder of the values of compassion, empathy and community that define Islam.
He said he chose Türkiye this year to showcase the generosity of the Turkish people and their support for humanitarian causes.
“These visits are a powerful reminder, to me and to the world, of the true spirit of Islam: compassion, community and empathy,” he said.
Guterres dedicated the award to UN staff working around the world to deliver humanitarian assistance and support peace efforts, while also paying tribute to aid workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
