–President Ali warns, calls for end to Iran/Israel conflict
–as fuel, food prices begin to rise

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has warned of the devastating global impact of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, urging both sides to pursue peace as rising fuel and food prices threaten the well-being of billions around the world.

Speaking with urgency, the Guyanese Head of State highlighted the immediate and far-reaching economic consequences of the war, with a focus on escalating commodity prices.
“The price of fuel has already increased by more than 8 per cent from the day before the war to today,” President Ali said on Monday.
“More than 30 billion people will go into chronic hunger from the day before the war to today,” he added.

Dr. Ali stressed that continued hostilities would drive basic goods out of reach for many, particularly in vulnerable regions. “And if it continues, the price for cereal and other products will go beyond, beyond the 2017, and 2007 levels,” he warned. “So every single country, every single member of the human family, is affected by conflict and war.”
At a time when many nations are still recovering from the economic strain of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, Dr. Ali’s call underlined the fragility of global supply chains and the interconnectedness of peace and prosperity.

“I am saying today that every citizen in this family of humanity must understand the consequences of what is taking place in Iran and Israel,” he declared. “If we do not understand the consequential effects of what is taking place, we’ll all contribute to our collective failure in saving our world and saving humanity.”

Dr. Ali emphasised the urgent need for diplomacy and adherence to international norms, reaffirming Guyana’s position as a proponent of peaceful resolution through dialogue.
“We cannot create destruction towards negotiations to peace. We must negotiate with peace to avoid destruction. And that is the position of the Guyana government. We have made a call today for both parties to respect

international conventions, international law and international order, and the interest of the family of humanity to negotiate the end [of] the destruction of property and life.”
During a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on the situation, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett delivered a firm statement on behalf of the country,

expressing “deep concern about the attack carried out by Israel against facilities in Iran”.
“My delegation has noted the reports that the attack has resulted in the loss of lives, including civilians,” she told the council meeting.
The ambassador added that this action has reportedly resulted in retaliatory drone strikes by Iran against Israel.

Describing Israel’s strike as a violation of international norms, Rodrigues-Birkett said: “Israel’s latest attack on Iran contravenes the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.”
She further warned that the timing of the strike could inflame an already unstable regional landscape.

“At a particularly volatile period in the region, the attack risks exacerbating existing tensions in the Middle East and escalating the ongoing crisis,” she said.
Against this backdrop, the Permanent Representative called for restraint from all parties involved, noting: “Guyana reiterates its appeal to both Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any further manoeuvres that could plunge the entire Middle East into further turmoil, or worse, result in a nuclear catastrophe.”

Further, Rodrigues-Birkett urged both nations to comply with their obligations under international law and relevant resolutions adopted by the council, and also to uphold the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ambassador also stressed the importance of accountability, noting: “Guyana also stresses the importance of accountability for all violations of international law and to avoid creating a culture of impunity for such actions.”
She affirmed that Guyana will act constructively to support any Security Council measure that is in keeping with its mandate aimed at preserving international peace and security.