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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

No climate action without climate education

Jordan Madden is a young climate activist from the US. He explains why climate education is the basis for climate action. Foreword by Mary Robinson.

Speeches and Discussions

"Climate finance must be distributed in a gender-responsive way"

Mary Robinson urges for women's voices to be heard in climate finance discussions at COP26.

Radical action at COP26 is urgently needed to tackle the climate crisis

Leaders must step up and face their responsibilities in Glasgow to keep 1.5°C alive.

Speeches and Discussions

The legal community must refuse to remain silent in the face of the climate crisis

Mary Robinson explores the important role the legal community has to play to uphold human rights in the climate crisis.

The Elders condemn Israel’s illegal settlement expansion and call on its allies to act

Israeli plans for more than 3,100 new homes in the West Bank threatens the viability of the two-state solution and violates Palestinian rights.

The Elders call for PM’s release after reported coup in Sudan

The Elders express concern at the reported coup in Sudan and call for the immediate release of Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok.

Speeches and Discussions

Imagine a future with the courage needed to achieve climate justice

Mary Robinson addresses delegates at the Arctic Circle Assembly, discussing the damage of global warming and climate injustice.

Speeches and Discussions

Human rights and solidarity are at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals

Human rights and solidarity are at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Climate change: women must be heard at COP26

The growing climate crisis affects more women than men, and its solutions must reflect the fact that it is a feminist issue, writes Mary Robinson.

Speeches and Discussions

A united and purposeful Security Council is needed now more than ever

Mary Robinson addresses the UN Security Council on its crucial role in preventing conflict, the need for nuclear non-proliferation, and the overhanging threat of climate change.

Elders Statements

The Elders condemn attempted coup in Guinea

The Elders condemn the attempted coup in Guinea and call on those behind it to immediately release President Alpha Condé.

Alistair Fernie appointed Chief Executive of The Elders

The Elders is delighted to announce the appointment of Alistair Fernie as its new Chief Executive.

The Elders call for UN unity and leadership on Afghanistan after Taliban takeover

The Elders call on the UN to lead the international community’s efforts to encourage a peaceful transition and protection of human rights of all Afghans, following the military takeover of Kabul by the Taliban.

Climate catastrophe can be averted if leaders act now

The chance to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C is slim but still possible, says Mary Robinson amid increasing worries about a liveable future planet.

The Elders urge leaders to act on climate following IPCC report

Mary Robinson Ricardo Lagos Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

New IPCC assessment of the climate crisis bolsters case for urgent action ahead of COP26.

A human rights approach to global challenges

The world will neither rebuild from the pandemic, nor have any chance of tackling wider existential threats, until leaders once more instill a sense of hope in political and civic life, writes Mary Robinson.

Speeches and Discussions

The Elders to address the global ‘state of hope’ in a week of activity to mark Mandela Day

From 12 July, The Elders will bring together high-profile voices from across the world to launch a major new initiative to consider the State of Hope in these unprecedented times.

Elders Statements

The Elders urge heads of state to demonstrate personal leadership on pandemic prevention

The Elders today called on world leaders to take direct, personal responsibility for leading efforts to prevent a future global pandemic and manage the continued threat posed by COVID-19

A call to be the generation that brings about equality

At the Generation Equality Forum in Paris, Mary Robinson, Graça Machel and Hina Jilani outline the Elders' call on leaders to prioritise access to justice and gender equality.

World Refugee Day 2021: a call for leadership

As UNHCR publishes its annual Global Trends report, and ahead of World Refugee Day 2021, Mary Robinson and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reflect on the need for leadership amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marking Mandela’s legacy with a week of Elders’ discussion

The Elders’ State of Hope seeks to explore Nelson Mandela's vision in the context of contemporary challenges.

Elders Statements

The UN and AU must act now to prevent famine and end atrocities in Tigray, Ethiopia

The Elders today called on the UN Security Council and the African Union to take urgent steps to address the unfolding humanitarian and human rights crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia.

The Elders call on G7 leaders to seize the moment on vaccines and climate action

The Elders call on G7 leaders to take urgent action on vaccine distribution and pledge new climate finance at the G7 summit 11-13 June, or risk further weakening the multilateral system on which future progress and prosperity depends.

Elders Statements

Myanmar risks state failure without significant increase in international pressure, The Elders warn

The Elders call on the international community to intensify pressure on the military leadership in Myanmar to prevent the country descending into endemic violence and state failure.

“Days marked by death tolls”: Finding hope amid global despair

Youth climate activist Nikayla Jefferson from California writes about her experience as a Black, queer woman in the youth climate movement and how, for her, the climate crisis is one of many existential threats.

Elders Statements

The Elders deeply regret the postponement of Palestinian elections

As Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas announces the postponement of parliamentary elections, Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson express concern for reconciliation and democratic rights.

President Biden's Leaders Summit on Climate: a welcome step but major powers must do more

Mary Robinson welcomes climate commitments made as President Biden convenes world leaders, but calls for increased ambition from major economies ahead of COP26, particularly on climate finance.

Speeches and Discussions

We must listen to the young people on the frontlines of climate change

Mary Robinson calls on world leaders to meaningfully include youth in tackling climate change ahead of COP26, and encourage intergenerational dialogue, as The Elders launch the Intergenerational Climate Blog Series 2021.

Speeches and Discussions

China’s ambition can make a crucial difference on climate

Mary Robinson urges China and its international partners to act together to strengthen climate action, in a keynote address to the 20th Boao Forum for Asia.

Speeches and Discussions

Justice for women and girls must be at the core of our COVID-19 response

Mary Robinson underscores that crises are never gender-neutral and calls on governments to address the intersecting issues faced by women and girls in their pandemic recovery plans.

UK nuclear announcement ‘shocking and alarming’ warn the Elders

The Elders say UK proposals risk contributing to a dangerous new nuclear arms race

ICC and Israel-Palestine: an investigation is a step towards justice

Mary Robinson underscores the importance of accountability and calls on the international community to support the International Criminal Court's decision to investigate the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

A post-COVID-19 world must address systemic inequalities and injustices

Mary Robinson calls for climate action, justice and a sustainable recovery from COVID-19. Published in The Young Geographer: The Climate Justice Edition.

How close are we to realising gender equality?

How do we accelerate the unfinished business of the landmark Beijing Declaration on women’s rights? Mary Robinson and Amani Aruri in conversation.

Women’s leadership must drive the global recovery from COVID-19

Marking International Women's Day 2021, Mary Robinson reflects on why women leadership is crucial in achieving a more equal society post-COVID-19, and why the success of COP26 will depend on it. Published in Inter Press Service.

Speeches and Discussions

The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis for human rights and development

Mary Robinson addresses the UN Human Rights Council on the rights of the child and the SDGs, highlighting the importance to uphold rights for the most vulnerable in the global community amid COVID-19.

The world remains dangerously off track on climate, The Elders warn ahead of critical UN assessment

The Elders have voiced grave concern about the lack of ambition from many world leaders, as the UN reports back on carbon commitments ahead of the crucial COP26 climate summit in Glasgow this November.

The Elders condemn military coup d’état in Myanmar

The Elders today condemned the coup d’état by the military in Myanmar and called on the international community to exert pressure for an immediate return to civilian rule.

Finding Humanity Podcast: critical conversations with The Elders

The Finding Humanity podcast explores the need for empathetic and principled leadership on some of the biggest challenges humanity is grappling with today.

The Elders welcome US-Russian agreement to extend New START nuclear treaty

The Elders today welcomed the agreement by US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) for five years.

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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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