UN Chief Urges States to Focus on Crisis Solutions, Not Border Controls

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi talks to reporters during a visit to the Jdeidat Yabus border crossing in southwestern Syria as displaced people arrive from Lebanon on October 7, 2024. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi talks to reporters during a visit to the Jdeidat Yabus border crossing in southwestern Syria as displaced people arrive from Lebanon on October 7, 2024. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
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UN Chief Urges States to Focus on Crisis Solutions, Not Border Controls

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi talks to reporters during a visit to the Jdeidat Yabus border crossing in southwestern Syria as displaced people arrive from Lebanon on October 7, 2024. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi talks to reporters during a visit to the Jdeidat Yabus border crossing in southwestern Syria as displaced people arrive from Lebanon on October 7, 2024. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

The head of the UN refugee agency on Monday urged countries to focus on solutions to crises and to drop measures to block refugees and migrants at their borders, saying they are ineffective and sometimes illegal.
Addressing over 100 diplomats and ministers in Geneva at UNHCR's annual meeting, Filippo Grandi said an unprecedented 123 million people are displaced around the world, Reuters reported.
"You might then ask: what can be done? For a start, do not focus only on your borders," he said, urging leaders instead to look at the reasons people are fleeing their homes.



China’s Foreign Minister Urges Caution to Avoid Escalating Israel-Iran Tensions

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the opening ceremony of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China September 5, 2024. (Reuters)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the opening ceremony of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China September 5, 2024. (Reuters)
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China’s Foreign Minister Urges Caution to Avoid Escalating Israel-Iran Tensions

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the opening ceremony of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China September 5, 2024. (Reuters)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the opening ceremony of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China September 5, 2024. (Reuters)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on all parties involved in tensions between Israel and Iran on Monday to exercise caution and avoid escalating the situation.

In a phone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Wang also urged Israel to ensure the safety of personnel of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a foreign ministry statement said.

He also reiterated Beijing's position on the Gaza conflict, calling for an immediate, complete and permanent ceasefire.

Katz said that during the call he had "clarified that Iran is the primary source for undermining stability in the Middle East" and said that Iran poses a direct threat through its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

Katz said he had expected that China would express "a balanced and fair position in relation to the war", citing the economic cooperation ties between the two countries "and the fact that approximately 20,000 workers from China continue to work in Israel during the...war."