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Speeches and Discussions

Nature must no longer be a silent victim of war

20 November 2024

Mary Robinson highlights the environmental impact of conflicts during the Ukraine Pavilion panel at COP29

Elders Statements

Failure to respect rule of law risks collapse of global stability

30 October 2024

The Elders today express their alarm at the escalating crises facing the world and urge leaders to uphold the rule of law

Elders Statements

The Elders call for strong international leadership on AI governance after Summit of the Future

The Elders call for continued leadership from the UN and member states to drive forward inclusive global governance of AI

Speeches and Discussions

The current failure of leadership is not gender neutral

Mary Robinson delivered the Kofi Annan Peace Address at Geneva Peace Week 2024, calling for greater respect for humanitarian law and gender parity in leadership.

A Pathway Towards Sustainable Peace in Palestine and Israel

The Elders call for a new approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that can lead to a truly just and sustainable peace.

Elders Statements

The Elders call for UN-backed independent commission to probe Venezuela election

The Elders voice grave concern at the worsening political situation in Venezuela and urge the UN to investigate the 28 July election

However devastating the climate and nature crisis is, we are not helpless against it

Mary Robinson joined the G20 Interfaith Forum on Religion and Sustainable Development as a special guest speaker

Speeches and Discussions

Elders Statements

The Elders warn urgent action on climate, pandemics, nuclear weapons needed to turn back hands of the Doomsday Clock

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon Elbegdorj Tsakhia

Elders Statement: The Elders warn urgent action on climate, pandemics, nuclear weapons needed to turn back hands of the Doomsday Clock.

The Elders’ new strategy sets out to address humanity’s existential threats

Mary Robinson Graça Machel Ban Ki-moon

The Elders today launch a new strategy, setting out to address the existential threats facing humanity.

Remembering 2022, a year of crisis, courage and hope

Mary Robinson reflects on the past year: the impact of existential threats, the courage of all who stood up to demand a better future, and the action needed to address the interconnected crises we face.

Speeches and Discussions

Cooperation between China and the EU on the climate crisis is essential

Mary Robinson gave a virtual speech at the Green Sustainable Development Conference in China on the importance of climate action cooperation between China and the EU.

Elders Statements

The Elders welcome historic breakthrough on loss and damage at COP27, but call on G20 leaders to phase out fossil fuels faster

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon Graça Machel

Elders Statement: The agreement reached at COP27 in Egypt shows that solidarity and co-operation between nations on the world’s most pressing issues is possible through negotiation and compromise, even in testing times.

Speeches and Discussions

Remembering Ela Bhatt's life, wisdom and legacy

Mary Robinson Ela Bhatt

On Saturday 19 November Mary Robinson celebrated Ela Bhatt's life and legacy at a memorial service in Ahmedabad.

Speeches and Discussions

A truly 'just' transition must be rooted in human rights and equality

On Saturday 12 November Mary Robinson called for just transitions to be rooted in human rights at a COP27 roundtable discussion exploring the importance of Just Transitions and how to achieve them in practice around the world.

Elders Statements

The Elders stand in solidarity with Iran protests and demand an end to state violence globally

Elders Statement: The Elders today call for global consistency in upholding human rights, including women’s rights to self-expression and bodily autonomy, and freedoms of expression and assembly.

We are living outside our experience: we need more than empty promises from world leaders at COP27

Mary Robinson on the criticality of the climate crisis and The Elders' calls for action at COP27 in Egypt

“We cannot win the game with only half the team” – Why women’s leadership matters in climate action

Photos from Mary Robinson's visit to Uganda to spend time with youth activist Vanessa Nakate, communities impacted by the climate crisis, and projects centering women's leadership.

Speeches and Discussions

The UN Security Council must speak with one voice

On Thursday 3 November Mary Robinson addressed the UN Security Council on building resilience in UN peacekeeping operations and the need to tackle the root causes of conflict.

Leaders must go beyond platitudes at COP27: they must deliver on climate finance promises

Mary Robinson writes for the New Statesman on power, action and the need for progress on Loss and Damage to be prioritised at COP27.

Elders Statements

The Elders warn G20: your failure of leadership is worsening global crises

Elders Statement: The Elders today challenge G20 leaders to do their job: to rise above their differences and find consensus on the leadership needed to tackle the inter-connected crises facing humanity.

The Elders welcome Elbegdorj Tsakhia as their latest member

Mary Robinson Elbegdorj Tsakhia

The Elders today welcomed Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former President of Mongolia, as the newest member of the group.

Remembering the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II

Mary Robinson reflects on Her Majesty's commitment to the Commonwealth and dedication to peace and human dignity.

The Elders respond to UN assessment of human rights violations in Xinjiang, China

Following the OHCHR assessment of human rights concerns in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, The Elders express their concern and stress the gravity of the report’s findings.

The Elders deplore Russia’s move to block a consensus outcome to the NPT Review Conference

Mary Robinson expresses disappointment that that consensus has not been reached on a final statement at the NPT Review Conference.

The Elders condemn Israel’s repressive actions against Palestinian NGOs

Mary Robinson Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

The Elders are deeply concerned at Israel’s latest repressive actions and raids against Palestinian NGOs in the occupied territories.

Elders Statements

The Elders urge Iran to seize the moment and endorse nuclear breakthrough

The Elders call for participants in the Vienna negotiations to endorse the latest proposals to resolve the talks about the future of the nuclear deal.

Marking Mandela Day 2022, Mary Robinson reflects on the global state of hope

Mary Robinson's State of Hope Talk explores the legacy of Mandela and the dearly-missed friend, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The G7 must lead the way for a just climate transition

Mary Robinson highlights that the G7 summit must be where rich nations finally deliver on the finance promises they have made.

Speeches and Discussions

Climate justice is key to addressing the climate crisis

Mary Robinson discusses the importance of climate justice as an indispensable concept, framework and guide for addressing the climate crisis.

Young Justice Leaders: an intergenerational call for justice for all

Mary Robinson joined the Young Justice Leaders at the World Justice Forum to discuss commitments towards justice for all.

Speeches and Discussions

We must work together to make justice for all a reality

At the World Justice Forum, Mary Robinson reiterates the need for inclusive, intergenerational, people-centered justice systems.

A people-centred approach to the energy transition is needed

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon

Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon called on world leaders to implement a just and inclusive energy transition at the Sustainable Energy For All (SE4ALL) Forum in Kigali.

Speeches and Discussions

Young people should not be an optional extra in climate decision making

Mary Robinson discusses the importance of intergenerational cooperation in the climate decision making process.

We need to see a full implementation of what was agreed at COP26

Mary Robinson explores climate justice and the fight for a sustainable future at Foreign Policy's Climate Summit.

International Women’s Day: Unrepresentative climate decision-making must be put behind us

Despite being too often excluded from decision-making processes, women and girls play a critical role in addressing the climate crisis. There must be equitable and inclusive representation in all climate negotiations, says Mary Robinson.

Elders Statements

The Elders call for a criminal tribunal to investigate alleged crime of aggression in Ukraine

Mary Robinson Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

Impunity for aggressors must end if the international community is to deter acts of aggression in future.

The Elders stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine

Mary Robinson reflects on the current desperate time for humanity following President Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Elders Statements

The Elders deplore Putin’s nuclear escalation and urge continued NATO restraint

President Vladimir Putin’s decision to place Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenal on “special alert” status is a reckless escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.

Elders Statements

The Elders condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a reckless threat to world peace

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon

The invasion is a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter that threatens to destabilise world security.

Africa must speak with one voice at COP27

Mary Robinson explores how Africa must stand as one ahead of COP27 to address their concerns on adaptation and to limit global warming to 1.5° C.

Speeches and Discussions

Cooperation between China and US crucial for sustainability and prosperity

Mary Robinson emphasises how cooperation between China and the US is needed to develop robust frameworks for 21st century governance.

Tutu’s global legacy of hope for peace, justice and human rights

Mary Robinson remembers Arch's infectious enthusiasm and principled determination.

Remembering Arch; looking to COP27, welcoming small steps on nuclear weapons

Mary Robinson looks back on the past 12 months and remembers the importance of beginning the new year with hope.

The Elders welcome P5 statement on nuclear weapons and call for concrete action

The joint statement affirmed the Reagan-Gorbachev maxim that ‘a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought’.

Ending violence against women and girls requires the attention of all

Ban Ki-moon Juan Manuel Santos Graça Machel Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein Mary Robinson

Marking the UN’s campaign for '16 days of activism against gender-based violence', The Elders reflect on leaders’ responsibilities, regardless of gender, to end this persistent injustice.

Elders Statements

The Elders deplore dereliction of leadership at COP26 and call for urgent climate action

The Elders express disappointment at the lack of progress at COP26.

Speeches and Discussions

Parliamentarians must make sure climate commitments are met after COP26

Speaking at COP26, Mary Robinson asks the Inter-Parliamentary Union to use their voices in the fight against the climate crisis.

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Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon & Ernesto Zedillo enjoyed a good meeting with @antonioguterres at @UN. They discussed global security issues inc. Ukraine and Israel/Palestine, how to strengthen multilateralism amid geopolitical tensions, & plans for the upcoming Summit of the Future. pic.twitter.com/lY1HWKn8Ku
— The Elders (@TheElders) June 27, 2024

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