UN chief urges ‘new Arab world’

AMMAN — UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday highlighted the plight of refugees and commended Jordan for hosting those fleeing conflicts, while bemoaning the fact that developed countries have closed their borders to the region's displaced.

Addressing the 28th Arab summit, the UN chief said that "refugee protection is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Arabian Peninsula — refugee protection defined not only for Muslims but for all".

Guterres said that across the world, Arab and Muslim communities face “growing prejudice”, noting that “populist leaders” are inciting anti-Muslim hatred.

"Too many people have fallen into the trap of presenting the despicable acts of Daesh or Al Qaeda as driven by Islam, when in fact they utterly defy the faith.  Indeed, Muslims themselves are the primary victims.

"And too many populist political leaders — for short-sighted and cynical reasons — distort Islam to spread anti-Muslim hatred, playing into the hands of terrorist and extremist groups," Guterres said.

The UN chief urged Arab leaders to shape "a new Arab world” which is capable of addressing and resolving its challenges through cooperation and dialogue.

"Divisions in the Arab world have opened the door to foreign intervention and manipulation, breeding instability, sectarian strife and terrorism," he said.

Regarding the occupation of Palestine, Guterres said the two-state solution is the only solution and "there is no Plan B".

"I understand the deep sense of despair of the Palestinian people.  The dreams of generation after generation have been confined by the parameters of conflict, humiliation and half a century of occupation," the secretary general said. 

Guterres noted that "Palestinians and Israelis do not need conflict management; they need conflict resolution".

Regarding the Syrian crisis, he expressed hope that the Astana process will achieve an effective ceasefire, saying that the UN “will do everything we can to enable the Geneva-based political talks to lead to genuine negotiations".

Guterres also welcomed the progress made by Iraqi forces in retaking territories from the Daesh terror group. 

He said fighting youth unemployment is vital, as two-thirds of people in the Arab world are under the age of 30 — “the highest share ever”, the UN chief added.

"Fighting youth unemployment must be the top priority from the point of view of not only development, but also security for communities in the region," Guterres said, adding that “the empowerment of women is especially crucial — as a matter of human rights and as a spur to human development”.

“I myself come from a part of the world where the Arab heritage is strong — Al Gharb Al Andalus.  I stand before you today as someone with profound appreciation for the contributions of the Arab world to global civilisation,” he concluded.