In a review of the year 2022 made to the press at UN headquarters in New York, Guterres listed a series of advances achieved in conflict resolution through diplomatic efforts, especially on the African continent.
"In the Democratic Republic of Congo, diplomatic efforts led by Angola and the East African Community have created a framework for political dialogue to resolve the crisis in the eastern region of the country," he said.
Angola has been a mediator in the conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, due to attacks by the rebel movement March 23 (M23), which Kinshasa says is supported by Rwandans, in eastern DRCongo.
On 23 November, the President, João Lourenço, organized a summit in Luanda where he received officials from both countries, as well as representatives from other African countries and organisations, where an agreement was reached for a ceasefire which, however, did not is being carried out by the rebels, who are accused of massacring civilians.
Faced with Ethiopia, the former Portuguese prime minister highlighted the African Union's efforts to mediate peace, considering them a "reason for hope".
"A cessation of hostilities and implementation agreements are in place. A pathway to assistance in the northern part of the country is emerging," Guterres said, still on the situation in Ethiopia.
According to the leader of the United Nations, despite "many reasons for despair", there are still reasons to have "hope" in the resolution of the conflicts that plague the world, mainly due to the "rebirth of diplomacy" in recent months.
"The truce in Yemen has brought real dividends for the people. Since then, there have been no major military operations in a conflict where innocent people paid the highest price. Civilian flights have resumed from Sanaa. Vital supplies are finally reaching the port of Hudaydah ", gave António Guterres as an example.
For 2023, the UN will remain committed to promoting peace and security, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, combating inequalities and reforming the "morally bankrupt international financial system", stressed the secretary-general.
