United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday tied cost-of-living protests to conflict-related economic pressure, saying war can spread shocks through markets and leave households and governments with fewer resources to respond.
At a press encounter on Oct. 22, Guterres cited fighting in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan. He said its effects can reach beyond combat zones through energy markets, maritime transport, supply networks and finance, though he gave no numerical estimate of the resulting pressure.
Guterres said families with limited budgets may have to prioritize food over heating. Countries facing higher borrowing costs, he said, may also have to weigh debt payments against spending on health and education.
He condemned violence and property destruction at demonstrations, called for accountability for criminal acts and urged governments to address peaceful protesters’ concerns. The Associated Press reported that thousands gathered in Paris on Oct. 22 after a court overturned a protest ban. The AP said other cities barred demonstrations after weekend clashes and looting. It also reported that the yellow vest movement, which held fuel-price protests in 2018 and 2019, was expected at a large French demonstration on Oct. 24. Earlier unrest also affected markets, as EconoTimes reported in its coverage of French stocks and bonds.
Separately, the World Food Programme (WFP) said Oct. 19 that funding cuts had led it to scale back food assistance in Gaza by about one-third. The agency said aid for 500,000 people was at risk. It said $450 million was needed for operations in Gaza and the West Bank from October 2026 through March 2027.
Guterres said his planned Oct. 23 visit to Egypt would give him an opportunity to press for diplomacy and civilian protection as he urged efforts to prevent conflicts from widening.
