UN secretary‑general urges Gaza ceasefire, warns conflicts and finance gaps threaten SDG progress

António Guterres, secretary‑general of the United Nations, told the High‑Level Political Forum that an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access are necessary first steps toward a two‑state solution and to protect development gains.

Guterres said the forum meets amid “profound challenge, but also real possibility,” and pointed to recent multilateral agreements as examples of what coordinated action can achieve. “We saw it in Geneva, where the World Health Assembly adopted the pandemic agreement, a vital step toward the safer, more equitable global health architecture,” he said. He also cited recent ocean and financing conferences where governments made commitments on marine protection and on reshaping global finance.

The secretary‑general framed the forum as a moment to renew commitments to end poverty, protect the…