“The UN vote can be a catalyst for genuine negotiations between Israel and Palestine on a more equal footing” – Jimmy Carter

The Elders commend today's vote to recognise Palestine as a non-member observer state, and express their hope that this result will represent an important step towards peace and security for all Palestinians and Israelis.

‘The two-state solution is vanishing’ – Jimmy Carter, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Mary Robinson urge a fresh approach to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East

The Elders have concluded a two-day visit to Israel and the West Bank by saying that the two-state solution is in deep peril; but that it remains the only realistic path to lasting peace in the Middle East.

Press conference in Jerusalem on Monday 22 October
Press conference in Cairo on Tuesday 23 October

Gro Harlem Brundtland, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson will visit Israel, the West Bank and Egypt. While in the Middle East they aim to draw attention to the imperilled two-state solution and lend their support to the Egyptian democratic transition.

The Elders welcome commitment towards peace by Sudan and South Sudan, after the two countries reached agreements on oil, trade, a demilitarised buffer zone, and protections for the welfare and safety of their people. They urge leaders of both nations to build on the momentum by resolving the remaining issues.

They urge Khartoum and Juba to resolve outstanding issues and recommit to building two viable states

Concluding a five-day visit to the region, Desmond Tutu, Martti Ahtisaari and Mary Robinson call on President Salva Kiir of South Sudan and President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan to meet as soon as possible to break the current cycle of mistrust.

“Building confidence and constructive relations between Sudan and South Sudan is urgent” – Jimmy Carter

Two members of The Elders, former US President Jimmy Carter and former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi, met President Omar Al-Bashir in Khartoum today as part of a two-stage visit to support peace efforts in Sudan and South Sudan.

Desmond Tutu and Gro Brundtland will launch The Elders' new documentary film, Cyprus: Digging the Past in Search of the Future, at a special screening in Cyprus before being joined by fellow Elder Lakhdar Brahimi in London to share the film with members of the Cypriot diaspora.

On International Women's Day, The Elders advocate women's involvement in peace-building in Kenya, arguing that much more must be done to promote women's leadership and protect women's rights worldwide.