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The humanitarian impact continues to grow and is exacerbated by the increasing number of deaths, injuries and damage to civilian infrastructure, as well as the increasing negative impact on the global economy.
Although UN efforts to support affected civilians and de-escalate the conflict are ongoing, the Secretary-General has stressed the need to take urgent action to mitigate its impact.
Widespread impact
The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime trade “impedes the movement of oil, gas and fertilizer at a critical time in the global growing season,” he said. said.
Tanker traffic has fallen by more than 90 percent, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O), which threatens agricultural production and global food security.
“This crisis is causing the most significant disruption of global humanitarian supply chains since COVID-19 and the start of the war in Ukraine,” UN aid coordination office Ocha added.
“Humanitarian supply lines in the Middle East are severely disrupted, threatening the timely delivery of food, medical equipment and emergency aid to millions of people.”
As the conflict shows no signs of stopping, the Secretary-General this week announced two important initiatives: appointment of envoys to spearhead UN peace efforts and formation Special Task Force in the Strait of Hormuz.
Facilitate transit, avoid crises
This Task Force will work to ensure safe, orderly and reliable transit of humanitarian purposes through critical maritime corridors.
The agency will be led by Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the UN Project Services Office (UNOPS), which provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services worldwide.
Representative of the UN trade body UNCTADThat International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Chamber of Commerce will also participate.
“Our focus is to facilitate commercial fertilizer trade and the movement of related raw materials. We are ready to support this life-saving operation,” Mr. Moreira da Silva said in a statement posted on X.
“It is urgent to prevent a massive humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and beyond including in Africa and Asia which depend on fertilizer imports.”
Inspired by previous initiatives
The Task Force takes inspiration from other UN initiatives, including Verification and Inspection Mechanisms in YemenThe first Black Sea Grains Initiative on exports from Ukraine, and UN Special Mechanism for Gaza delivery of assistance described in Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023).
“The operationalization of this mechanism will be carried out in close consultation with Member States regarding full respect for national sovereignty and the established international legal framework,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric
“If successful, this would also create confidence among member states regarding the diplomatic approach to the conflict and is a valuable step towards a broader political resolution,” he added.
File photo of Jean Arnault, former Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.
UN envoy appointed
The Secretary-General appointed veteran French diplomat Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy to lead the UN’s efforts on the Middle East conflict and its consequences.
He warned that the conflict was “out of control,” and repeated his call for the United States and Israel to stop the war, and for Iran to stop attacking its neighbors.
“It’s time to stop climbing the escalation ladder – and start climbing the diplomatic ladder, and return to fully respecting international law,” he said.
Mr Arnault “will do everything possible” to support all mediation and peace efforts, and will liaise with all parties. He will examine how the conflict has impacted the region and civilians, both there and around the world, as well as its impact on the global economy.
The envoy has nearly 40 years of experience in international diplomacy, particularly in the field of peace settlement and mediation, and has led UN missions in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Most recently he served as the Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for Afghanistan and Regional Issues.
