UN official reports significant economic impact of regional conflict

Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General, stated from Amman that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused $186 billion in losses for Arab countries. This figure represents an estimated 6% decline in the region's GDP after one month of hostilities. The conflict has resulted in the potential loss of 3.7 million jobs and has pushed approximately 4 million additional people below the poverty line. Gulf oil-producing nations are experiencing the most severe consequences due to their strategic economic role and vulnerability to attacks. Al Dardari emphasized the urgent need to secure alternative transit routes for energy supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz currently facilitates one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The UN official called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent further global economic deterioration.