Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN, at the UN Security Council Meeting on Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East: Mediation and Dialogue for Lasting Peace
New York, 10 June 2026
Thank you, Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to welcome H.E. Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia, presiding over today’s meeting.
I would also like to thank Secretary-General, António Guterres, for his intervention and his steadfast commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.
Mr. President,
For decades, unresolved conflicts in the Middle East have been on the Security Council’s agenda. Our deliberations today take place at a critical juncture for the Middle East, amidst the renewed escalation. The need for mediation is urgent to end the suffering of the civilians. In Lebanon, 1,4 million displaced people require humanitarian assistance; in Gaza, humanitarian access must be implemented urgently in full to provide shelter, health care, and sanitation; and in Yemen, nearly 20 million are struggling to meet basic needs and access essential services amid a protracted crisis.
Since its foundation, the UN has been a cornerstone of the international peace architecture. As a central pillar of mediation, the good offices of the Secretary‑General have demonstrated the UN’s unique ability to bring conflicting parties together and consolidate mediation tracks by individual member states or regional actors.
The UN’s comparative advantage lies in its impartiality, global mandate and institutional continuity, which must be protected and strengthened.
We express our gratitude to the representatives, envoys, coordinators, and their teams entrusted with carrying out the Secretary-General’s good offices in extremely complex environments. We also welcome the local mediation and deconfliction efforts of the UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO peacekeeping operations, which play an important role in reducing tensions, preserving stability and fostering peace.
Sustainable peace is best achieved through inclusive dialogue and mediation processes that meaningfully engage women, youth and civil society as essential partners in building lasting solutions. The UN Charter and international law must remain at the core of the peace efforts, to ensure that resolutions of conflicts are grounded in agreed principles, respect for sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Mr. President,
When open diplomacy reaches its limits, the Secretary‑General can create political space, mobilize resources and act discreetly. We have seen this through initiatives such as the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) as well as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled the safe transportation of grain from Ukraine to 45 countries across three continents. These are examples to build upon.
Now restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is most pressing. We commend established task force and the engagement of the Secretary‑General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East Conflict and its Consequences to advance the safe passage of fertilisers and related raw materials through the Strait of Hormuz.
Freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be ensured without delay. Respect for international law fully applies to maritime security. It is categorically unacceptable for Iran, or any state for that matter, to use an international waterway as a bargaining chip or hold the global economy hostage. It is equally unacceptable for Iran to carry out unprovoked attacks against its neighbours. There is no alternative to a diplomatic solution in this conflict. We commend the sustained efforts and contribution of Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar and others to bridge divides and create channels for dialogue and de-escalation.
We recognise and welcome constructive mediation initiatives that take place outside the UN framework to achieve ceasefire and use leverage on the conflicting parties across the Middle East. These endeavours reflect the shared commitment of countries, political leaders and regional organisations to peace and stability in the Middle East.
The Security Council’s mandate and oversight provide legitimacy, coherence, and broad international support to such mediation initiatives. In this light, we look forward to the Board of Peace’s continued engagement with the Security Council on advancing the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, put forward by President Trump and endorsed by resolution 2803. Full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, in accordance with the agreed phased approach, is vital to prevent a resurgence of violence in Gaza. Hamas and other non‑state armed groups must disarm and relinquish power. We urge Israel to ensure unconditional humanitarian access in Gaza, and to withdraw forces from Gaza as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. A political process is the only way to lasting peace, based on the two-State solution, as most recently defined by the New York declaration.
In Lebanon, we urge all parties to adhere to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, which enables progress towards sustainable peace while safeguarding the sovereignty of both countries. International humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, journalists, medical and humanitarian personnel and peacekeepers, must be respected by all parties.
To conclude, Mr. President,
No country, however distant, can afford the luxury of indifference or neutrality in the face of armed violence. Whether in the Middle East, Ukraine or elsewhere, wars and conflicts undermine the foundations of international peace and security. It requires from all member states a principled engagement in pursuit of political solutions and from the Security Council to take action and demand full respect for the UN Charter, international law, international humanitarian law and the Security Council resolutions.
The renewed escalation in the last few days, leading to strikes, civilian casualties and suffering, in violation of ceasefire agreements and against mediation efforts, confirm that peace and security in the Middle East require persistent efforts from the entire international community, guided by a shared commitment to cooperation and mutual respect. The people of the region aspire to peace and human dignity as the indispensable foundation for prosperity and development. Lasting peace can never be achieved through military action; it requires dialogue, diplomacy, and genuine engagement.
We remain convinced that mediation efforts will lead to a lasting peace only when all parties respect the UN Charter, international law, international humanitarian law, and faithfully implement the ceasefire and peace agreements to which they have committed.
I thank you.