diff --git a/contracts/core/UniversalChannelHandler.sol b/contracts/core/UniversalChannelHandler.sol
index bfdadc1c..131b0ab4 100644
--- a/contracts/core/UniversalChannelHandler.sol
+++ b/contracts/core/UniversalChannelHandler.sol
@@ -43,6 +43,15 @@ contract UniversalChannelHandler is IbcReceiverBaseUpgradeable, UUPSUpgradeable,
         __IbcReceiverBase_init(_dispatcher);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * @dev Close a universal channel.
+     * Cannot send or receive packets after the channel is closed.
+     * @param channelId The channel id of the channel to be closed.
+     */
+    function closeChannel(bytes32 channelId) external onlyOwner {
+        dispatcher.channelCloseInit(channelId);
+    }
+
     function onChanCloseInit(bytes32 channelId, string calldata, bytes32) external onlyIbcDispatcher {}
 
     function onChanCloseConfirm(bytes32 channelId, string calldata, bytes32) external onlyIbcDispatcher {}