UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for U.S.-Iranian negotiations to continue, his spokesman said on Monday.
Although the negotiations hosted by Pakistan between the United States and Iran concluded without a deal on Sunday, the talks themselves represent a positive and meaningful step forward, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.
"While no agreement was reached at the talks hosted by Pakistan between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, the discussions themselves underscored the seriousness of their engagement and constituted a positive and meaningful step towards renewed dialogue. Given the deeply rooted differences, an agreement cannot be reached overnight, and the secretary-general calls on the talks to continue constructively in order for an agreement to be reached. At the same time, the ceasefire must absolutely be respected, and all violations must cease," he said.
Dujarric said the secretary-general appreciates the recent mediation efforts by all parties, while also calling on the international community to support the promotion of dialogue and the pursuit of a peaceful resolution.
The secretary-general stresses that all parties to this conflict must respect freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law, said Dujarric.
Disruptions in the maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz have already had a direct effect well beyond the immediate region, resulting in increased global economic fragility and insecurity in many sectors, noted the spokesman.
The disruption of fertilizer and its ingredients further exacerbates food insecurity for millions of vulnerable people around the world, adding to the rising cost of living due to impacts from fuel, transportation and supply chain disruptions, he said.
UN chief calls on US, Iran to continue talks
The China-Laos Railway marked the third anniversary of its international passenger service on Monday, having carried over 840,000 cross-border travelers.
The flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative has made cross-border travel faster and more convenient, while reshaping regional connectivity.
Since April 2023, some 3,200 cross-border passenger trains have operated on the China-Laos Railway, servicing passengers from 120 countries and regions.
"Before the railway opened, traveling from Laos to China was quite difficult. Now taking the train makes everything much easier, whether it's for tourism, study, or business," said Phout, a Lao passenger.
"This is my first time taking the China-Laos Railway, and my favorite part about it is how easy it is to use, and I love how connected it makes the world feel," said Feili Johnson, an Australian Passenger. Currently, four international passenger trains run daily between Kunming in China and the Lao capital, Vientiane, with seating capacity increasing from 250 at launch to 420 per train.
Data from the operator shows that in the first quarter of this year, the railway handled 112,000 cross-border passengers, up 32 percent year on year.
With policies such as 240-hour visa-free transit now in place, cross-border travel has become significantly easier and more efficient for international travelers.
"I think it's very convenient with the visa-free arrival in China, because you can see the whole country. Instead of going for one single purpose, you're more free to do a little bit of what you want," said Gabriel Andersson, a Swedish traveler.
Adding to the convenience, immigration authorities have rolled out a range of measures to streamline border clearance. At the Mohan railway port, processing time has now been reduced to around 50 minutes.
"We've introduced more than a dozen measures to facilitate customs clearance, such as passenger classification and diversion, group booking for clearance, establishment of special channels for 240-hour visa-free transit, and pre-arrival entry card service," said Yang Xueqin, an officer from Mohan Immigration Inspection Station.
The port has also adopted smart technologies, including automated verification systems and real-time translation devices, cutting inspection time by more than 30 percent, Yang said.
With a steady rise in cross-border travelers, tourism in cities along the route — such as Xishuangbanna and Luang Prabang — is experiencing robust growth. As further facilitation measures advance between the two countries, the railway corridor is expected to unlock even greater vitality for regional tourism and economic exchanges.
China-Laos Railway marks three years of cross-border passenger services
