BRICS leaders hear UN plea for ceasefire in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and beyond

At the BRICS summit, United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres addressed the gathering of world leaders with a clear call to end hostilities that are disproportionately harming the Global South. He cited the ongoing violence in Gaza, the wider Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and other troubled regions, urging immediate steps toward peace.

Guterres stressed that sustainable, inclusive development is impossible without a stable, peaceful environment. He reminded the audience of their obligations under the UN Charter and international law, including the right to free navigation on international waters, respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Among the attendees were Iran’s president, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin – all of whom are directly linked to the conflicts discussed.

The Secretary‑General also highlighted the broader consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has created a global food and fertilizer emergency, and the February strikes on Iran that disrupted traffic through the Hormuz Strait, a channel responsible for roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas flow.

Citing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s summit theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainable development, Guterres reiterated that peace is a non‑negotiable condition for achieving those objectives.

His appeal was reflected in the BRICS joint communiqué, which received backing from Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The 11‑nation statement expressed deep concern over rising tensions in the Middle East and West Asia, urged maximum restraint, warned against actions that could worsen the situation, and called for a cease‑fire in Gaza while defending the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.