The UN and the crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know (Jan-Jun 2026)

What you need to know about the United Nations response to the conflict in the Middle East.

29 May

  • UNESCO statement on ongoing escalation of hostilities in Lebanon (UNESCO)
  • Joint Statement by the Heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group and World Trade Organization (World Bank)

26 May

  • Strait of Hormuz: Time running out to avert global food security crisis, FAO warns (FAO)

21 May

  • WFP Middle East Regional Escalation Emergency Response External Situation Report #11 (WFP)

20 May

  • Strait of Hormuz conflict threatens global food prices as FAO warns time is running out (FAO)
  • Policy Recommendations to Prevent a Global Food Crisis | Hormuz Crisis 2026 | The Work We Do (FAO podcast)

19 May

  • Developing economies bear the brunt of Middle East conflict as growth slows and inflation rises, UN warns (DESA)

26 May

  • Strait of Hormuz: Time running out to avert global food security crisis, FAO warns (FAO)

21 May

  • WFP Middle East Regional Escalation Emergency Response External Situation Report #11 (WFP)

20 May

  • Strait of Hormuz conflict threatens global food prices as FAO warns time is running out (FAO)
  • Policy Recommendations to Prevent a Global Food Crisis | Hormuz Crisis 2026 | The Work We Do (FAO podcast)

19 May

  • Developing economies bear the brunt of Middle East conflict as growth slows and inflation rises, UN warns (DESA)

18 May

  • Statement by the Secretary-General on the attack near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant | Secretary-General (OSSG)
  • Overview report on practices and policies affecting human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem – 7 October 2023 – 31 May 2025 | OHCHR (OHCHR)
  • Palestine: Killings, destruction and settler encroachment continues | UN News (UN News)

16 May

  • Note to Correspondents: on the extension of the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel | Secretary-General (OSSG)

15 May

  • Statement by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza: Rising civilian toll amid continued hostilities despite ceasefire | United Nations in Lebanon (UN Lebanon)
  • President of the UN General Assembly urges the international community together with the parties to “work to end the illegal occupation, create a credible and irreversible pathway to achieve the Two-State-Solution”, 78th commemoration of the Nakba – Question of Palestine (OPGA)
  • Palestinian Rights Committee, 428th Meeting (AM) | UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases (UN Meetings Coverage)

The UN Charter remains humanity’s best hope for peace.

Amid geopolitical divisions, member countries must uphold it & ensure that the UN lives up to what it was meant to be:

A forum for solutions.

A guardian of international law.

And a force for peace and security.

António Guterres

Secretary-General of the United Nations (27 May 2026)

KEY RESOURCES

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA):

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Highlighted (confirmed) incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East (IMO)

United Nations

AskDag: Where can I find information about the State of Palestine's participation at the UN?

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