UNITED Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has cautiously welcomed a US-backed initiative to support Gaza’s reconstruction, while warning that wider reliance on the proposed “Board of Peace” would not address the deeper crises unfolding across the Middle East.
Speaking in an interview, Guterres said the body’s role in funding and delivering essential rebuilding efforts in Gaza aligned with objectives endorsed by the UN Security Council, particularly in restoring homes and critical infrastructure in the war-ravaged enclave.
“There is an objective there that was defined, approved by the Security Council, and we are cooperating actively with structures created by the Board of Peace,” AFP cited him saying.
However, he made clear that the initiative should remain limited in scope, cautioning against viewing it as a comprehensive solution to broader geopolitical tensions.
“This is not the effective way to address the dramatic problems that we have now. We need to be clear about international law, to be clear about the values of the Charter of the United Nations. That is essential in any peace initiative.”
Guterres also called for urgent steps to ease tensions in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, urging Iran to end its closure of the key shipping route, which is critical to global energy supplies.
He suggested the United Nations could play a role in safeguarding the waterway and facilitating efforts to de-escalate hostilities.
Despite the intensifying conflict, Guterres noted that he has not spoken directly with US President Donald Trump since the outbreak of war, although he remains in contact with other members of the administration. - March 21, 2026
