U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned about the latest escalation over the Strait of Hormuz, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday.
Iran-U.S. tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran attacked American vessels and bases while Washington destroyed Iranian oil tankers, raising fears of a wider Middle East war.
"Turning to the Strait of Hormuz, I can tell you the secretary-general is deeply concerned by reports of further escalations in and around the Strait of Hormuz over the past days, including attacks against commercial vessels and threats of additional action against maritime and energy infrastructure. Navigational rights and freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz must be fully restored and respected in accordance with international law," said Dujarric.
Guterres warned of serious consequences for regional and global security and stability, as well as for the global economy if the volatile situation inflames further, according to the spokesman.
"We recall the Secretary-General's appeal to all concerned to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from actions and rhetoric that could further inflame an already volatile situation. Any further escalation risks grave consequences for civilians, regional stability, international peace and security, and the global economy, as we've been telling you," Dujarric said.
Guterres urges the parties to make full use of diplomatic channels and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiations. The UN Secretariat is ready to support all credible efforts aimed at de-escalation and a comprehensive and durable settlement, he said.
Regarding the U.N.'s previously proposed plan for the safe passage of fertilizers and related raw materials through the Strait of Hormuz, Dujarric said that consultations are ongoing. The actual implementation of this plan hinges on whether all the parties involved in this conflict are willing to let it go forward.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global maritime shipping route. The ongoing tensions in the region have heightened the risks associated with the transport of food, energy and other essential supplies.
U.N. chief concerned about escalation over Strait of Hormuz: spokesman
Norwegian Ambassador to China Vebjorn Dysvik said Wednesday that the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) offers a strong platform for developing new partnerships, as a record number of Norwegian companies attend.
Running through Sept. 13 at Shougang Park, a former industrial site and a venue for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the fair has drawn participants from 90 countries, regions and international organizations, with over 1,800 companies exhibiting on-site. Among them are 473 Fortune Global 500 firms and other industry leaders, including Honeywell, Johnson and Johnson, and Siemens.
During the fair, more than 190 forums, conferences, and business negotiation and promotion events will be held, along with 74 supporting activities and 11 business tour itineraries.
Norway is this year's guest country of honor at CIFTIS, and its exhibition area showcases Norway's distinctive industries and innovative achievements.
"It's a great opportunity and we can see this from the number of Norwegian companies that show up. And we have a record number of companies this year because our companies see that this is a good platform to develop all partnerships, but also to create new partnerships," said Vebjorn Dysvik, Norwegian Ambassador to China.
This year, for the first time, the fair has established an exhibition area for Chinese services in the core exhibition zone, showcasing innovative achievements and exemplary cases in the field of trade in services.
In addition, special zones were set up for the first time in several thematic exhibitions to provide professional support for Chinese enterprises looking to expand into international markets.
"The exhibition area for overseas service providers features 28 companies offering services overseas. It covers a wide range of topics, including accounting and auditing, human resources, intellectual property, consulting services, financial services, and digital marketing software services. In addition, we have invited 41 firms to participate in the overseas service recommendation roadshow, providing attendees with a one-stop solution for overseas expansion," said Zhao Fangqi, staff member at the fair.
This year's event also highlights the application of cutting-edge technologies in the service trade sector, while the sports and cultural tourism service exhibition areas feature numerous innovative interactive experiences.
Some exhibitors expressed their hope to meet the new service demands driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) era through more innovative approaches.
Norwegian ambassador hails CIFTIS as partnership platform
