On September 26, 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Nafti on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. During their meeting, Guterres expressed his satisfaction with the level of cooperation between Tunisia and the UN, as well as its specialized agencies. The Secretary-General praised Tunisia's continued support for UN efforts, particularly those aimed at promoting stability in Libya.
According to a statement released by the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 27, 2026, Guterres commended Tunisia's leadership in addressing regional challenges and crises. He described Tunisia as a "voice of wisdom in the Mediterranean" due to its democratic governance and prudent diplomacy, which have helped the country avoid crises in its immediate and regional neighborhoods.
Minister Nafti conveyed the greetings of the Tunisian head of state to Guterres and expressed appreciation for the Secretary-General's consistent and courageous positions on various international issues, including the Palestinian cause. Nafti also highlighted Guterres' recent remarks at the "Unstoppable Africa" conference, which took place before the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, praising Tunisia's advancements in communication technologies and artificial intelligence.
The Tunisian minister reaffirmed his country's fundamental and ongoing support for the multilateral system and the UN's pivotal role in maintaining international peace and security, promoting justice, and upholding international legitimacy. He also recalled Tunisia's continuous contributions to UN peacekeeping operations since gaining independence.
Guterres and Nafti discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Tunisia and the UN, with the Secretary-General assuring his commitment to continued collaboration. The meeting demonstrated the strong ties between Tunisia and the UN, with both parties eager to enhance their partnership.
The statement from the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Guterres instructed Nafti to convey his appreciation and respect to the Tunisian head of state. The Secretary-General's visit to Tunisia has not been officially announced, but the meeting with Nafti underscores the significance of Tunisia's relationships with the international community.
Tunisia's participation in international efforts to promote peace, security, and development was a key topic of discussion during the meeting. The country's contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and its commitment to multilateralism were highlighted as examples of its dedication to global cooperation.
Key points
- The UN Secretary-General expressed satisfaction with Tunisia's cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies.
- Guterres praised Tunisia's leadership in addressing regional challenges and crises.
- Tunisia reaffirmed its support for the multilateral system and the UN's role in maintaining international peace and security.
