New York, US – The Russia-Ukraine crisis poses a significant threat to global peace, the flow of energy and food supplies, and represents a serious challenge to international cooperation, H E Sayyid Badr Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, said in his speech at the 78th UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday.

He described dialogue as a firm principle in Oman’s foreign policy, given its effective impact in achieving reconciliation, harmony and peace between conflicting parties.

The ramifications surrounding the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the security and military escalation, and its painful humanitarian effects represent a serious challenge to international cooperation and the global system based on respect for the law and the United Nations Charter.

“Therefore, my country calls for dialogue and peaceful negotiations on the basis of the principle of ‘no harm and no harm inflicted’, respecting the sovereignty of nations, good neighbourly relations and addressing the root causes of this crisis,” H E Sayyid Badr said.

The sultanate asserted its firm commitment to join hands with the international community in its quest to achieve a peaceful world order, based on justice, fairness, respect for the Charter of the United Nations, international law, the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, the foreign minister added.

“In line with this commitment, my country urges the international community to adhere to the United Nations system in addressing conflicts, seeking peaceful resolutions through dialogue, and negotiating to build a world characterised by dignified living, prosperity, stability, security and peace.”

On the regional front, the foreign minister said that the Palestinian cause is at the forefront of continuing conflicts and suffering injustice for over seven decades. The Palestinian people stand resilient against the oppressive Israeli occupation, siege and oppression, as well as violations of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.

“Therefore, my country, like all peace-seeking nations and communities, sees no alternative to the resolution of this crisis other than the two-state solution outlined in international legal references and resolutions, including the Arab Peace Initiative.”

The UN bears moral and legal responsibility, he added, to find a just and equitable solution to this issue, ensuring an end to the dire suffering endured by the Palestinian people.

“We are facing complex global challenges, most notably the escalating effects of the climate crisis, the spread of pandemics, drug trade and human trafficking, in addition to political and sectarian conflicts, which call for the international community to firmly adhere to the principles of right and justice and apply the rules of international law without double standards, so that security and reassurance prevail among people, trust spreads among countries and partnerships among peoples grow and flourish,” H E Sayyid Badr concluded.