In a statement released by his spokesman’s office, the UN chief acknowledged the importance of the recent conference held at UN headquarters from November 13-17.

Guterres praised the States participating in the meeting, under the chairmanship of Libya, ‘for their constructive engagement in the elaboration of a future treaty and their commitment to multilateral diplomacy at a time of heightened tensions and acute humanitarian crisis in the Middle East region’.

At the same time, he encouraged them to continue their work during the inter-sessional period of the General Assembly.

The head of the organization reaffirmed his support for continued efforts to achieve, in an open and inclusive manner, the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.

This initiative held its first session from November 18-22, 2019 at UN Headquarters and was chaired by Jordan Ambassador Sima Bahous.

A year earlier, the General Assembly recommended to the Secretary-General to convene the Conference with particular concern about the threat over the occupied Palestinian territories.

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