The current U.S. war against Iran is making the world less safe and a return to diplomacy is needed, a United Nations spokesman said Wednesday as U.S. forces' strikes on Iranian military targets entered the 11th consecutive night on Tuesday.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said at a daily conference that renewed exchanges of attacks between the United States and Iran after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is impacting global energy prices and trade.
"The secretary-general wants the fighting to stop. The territorial integrity of every country in the region needs to be respected. We had, I think, the 11th night of kinetic activity between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. There needs to be a return to diplomacy, and that is the message we're delivering publicly, and the secretary-general's delivering in private conversations, as well," said Dujarric.
"It is making us less safe, in a sense, because there's a risk of even greater conflict, right? And it is making the world less safe in terms of the impact it has on energy prices, trade and everything else," he said.
The spokesman also noted that global military spending should be invested in more positive things, such as development and humanitarian.
Under the U.S.-Iran MoU signed on June 18, the two sides were expected to hold talks on a comprehensive deal within 60 days. However, negotiations have stalled amid intensifying disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and escalating hostilities.
On Saturday, Iran announced that it had suspended fulfilling its obligations under the MoU, accusing the U.S. of violating its commitments to the deal.
The announcement came after the United States carried out multiple rounds of strikes on Iran in recent days while Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks targeting U.S. bases and facilities in the Gulf region.
US, Iran need to return to diplomacy: UN spokesman
China stands ready to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in forging closer cooperation for the well-being of the region's peoples and in reinforcing unity to tackle new challenges and uncertainties, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when attending the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Pasay City in the Metro Manila area, the Philippines.
While lauding the fruitful outcomes of China-ASEAN cooperation, Wang expressed China's readiness to work with ASEAN to ensure their partnership continues to serve as an engine for Asia's development and revitalization, a model for Asia-Pacific regional cooperation, and a benchmark for the solidarity and self-strengthening of the Global South.
Wang put forward four proposals during the meeting:
First, to safeguard the regional environment for peace and development. Wang said all sides should champion the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, firmly reject unjustified external interference, oppose patching up exclusive small groupings, refuse to be drawn into camp-based confrontation, and never allow militarism to stage a comeback.
Second, to bolster the resilience of regional development. Wang said that all sides should stay committed to open cooperation, deepen development integration, advance the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, and implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at a high standard, while enhancing food, energy security, and supply chain stability in the region.
Third, to advance green and innovation-driven development. Wang said that all sides should expand cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and submarine cables.
Efforts should be made to explore synergy with the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, and step up collaboration in climate response, clean energy, green agriculture, and the blue economy, he added.
Fourth, to remain people-centered. Wang said that all sides should promote inclusive and equitable development to ensure that the outcomes of China-ASEAN cooperation are tangible and accessible and deliver greater benefits to the people of all countries.
China stands ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN in poverty reduction, public health, education, youth, think tanks, tourism, media, culture, and other fields, he noted.
On the South China Sea, Wang urged regional states to strictly honor the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
He called on regional countries to resist external attempts to stoke tensions, reject any nation's efforts to stir trouble in the South China Sea, and keep the initiative for safeguarding regional peace and stability firmly in their own hands.
Stressing that a critical window for finalizing the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea is now open, Wang called on all parties to seize the opportunity, fend off interference, and deliver on that objective.
All parties concurred that China is one of ASEAN's most important neighbors and dialogue partners, as well as its largest trading partner.
In the face of a turbulent international landscape, ASEAN countries look forward to closer strategic coordination with China to bolster their own development resilience and advance high-quality connectivity.
They also seek to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, climate change, clean energy, and the fight against transnational crime.
All sides expressed the hope of reaching a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea as early as possible this year, in a joint effort to uphold peace and stability in the region.
The meeting adopted the joint statement of the China-ASEAN foreign ministers on addressing the impact of the evolving situation in the Middle East on the region and strengthening regional energy cooperation.
China stands with ASEAN in reinforcing unity against new challenges, uncertainties: Chinese FM
