The movement of cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz has not yet been restored. (Archive photo) Middle East: 20 thousand sailors still blocked in the Strait of Hormuz Peace and Security
With shipping in the Strait of Hormuz almost completely stopped, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recalled the plight of trapped seafarers. Speaking in Singapore, Arsenio Dominguez emphasized that they were experiencing severe stress and extreme fatigue.
Some 20,000 sailors and approximately 2,000 ships remain blocked in the strait, one of the world’s most important maritime arteries. Before hostilities broke out on February 28, the strait handled roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade, as well as significant volumes of natural gas and fertilizers. shock”
The UN Secretary-General has warned that the conflict in the Middle East has caused the world’s worst energy crisis in decades. António Guterres emphasized that dependence on fossil fuels exposes economies to the risk of instability and rising costs. dialogue.
Guterres stressed that clean energy provides a stronger path to the future and called for accelerating investment, strengthening infrastructure and increasing financing to support the global transition.
Economic growth slows in Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific’s economic outlook worsens as growing global tensions are leading to rising prices and trade disruptions.
According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), economic growth in the region’s developing countries is forecast to slow to 4.0 percent in 2026 from 4.6 percent a year earlier, while inflation is expected to rise from 3.5 to 4.6 percent.
Rising inflation is driving up the cost of living, with low-income families particularly affected, while high government debt and potential rising interest rates could limit the ability of governments to respond effectively.
Despite slowing growth, the region is still expected to remain the fastest growing among the world’s emerging economies.
Death of UN peacekeeper in Lebanon
Members of the Security Council strongly condemned the attack on UN peacekeeping troops in Lebanon, which killed a French peacekeeper and injured three others.
Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio died on Saturday when the patrol he was part of came under fire from “non-state actors” during demining the road.
In their press statement, members of the Security Council expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and solidarity with France, and also paid tribute to the dedication of the peacekeepers. The document emphasizes that UN personnel should not be targeted under any circumstances, and called on all parties to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of peacekeepers.
The Security Council insists that this incident be promptly investigated and those responsible are brought to justice. He reaffirmed his support for the peacekeeping force and called for full implementation of resolution 1701.