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Speeches and Discussions
Nature must no longer be a silent victim of war
Mary Robinson
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
Mary Robinson
The Elders today express their alarm at the escalating crises facing the world and urge leaders to uphold the rule of law
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Elders Statements
The Elders call for strong international leadership on AI governance after Summit of the Future
Mary Robinson
21 Oct 2024
The Elders call for continued leadership from the UN and member states to drive forward inclusive global governance of AI
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Speeches and Discussions
The current failure of leadership is not gender neutral
Mary Robinson
16 Oct 2024
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.
News
A Pathway Towards Sustainable Peace in Palestine and Israel
Mary Robinson
18 Sep 2024
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
Mary Robinson
03 Sep 2024
The Elders voice grave concern at the worsening political situation in Venezuela and urge the UN to investigate the 28 July election
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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
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Speeches and Discussions
News
Marking Nelson Mandela's release: 30 years on
11 Feb 2020
30 years on from Nelson Mandela's release from prison, we recall The Elders' memories of their founder.
Speeches and Discussions
Climate leadership: it always seems impossible until it’s done
24 Jan 2020
Mary Robinson outlines the concept of climate justice and calls for urgent, multilateral climate leadership to protect current and future generations.
Media Releases
Doomsday Clock 2020: it is 100 seconds to midnight
23 Jan 2020
Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon join experts from the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists for the unveiling of the Doomsday Clock
Speeches and Discussions
To overcome existential threats, we need to re-energise multilateralism
23 Jan 2020
Unveiling the 2020 Doomsday Clock in Washington D.C., Ban Ki-moon urges global leaders to re-energise multilateralism to overcome existential threats facing humanity. 
Speeches and Discussions
We are faced by a gathering storm of extinction-level consequences, and time is running out
23 Jan 2020
Unveiling the 2020 Doomsday Clock in Washington D.C., Mary Robinson calls for an urgent change of mindset to challenge the existential threats facing humanity.
News
The Doomsday clock is ticking.
15 Jan 2020
The Elders will be unveiling the Doomsday Clock on 23 January 2020
Opinion
2020 must be a year of multilateral action on nuclear arms, climate and gender
10 Jan 2020
Reflecting on the challenges we face as the world enters a new decade, Mary Robinson highlights the importance of multilateralism and collective solidarity
Speeches and Discussions
Multilateral solutions are vital to tackling the global challenges we face
09 Jan 2020
As the United Nations marks the start of its 75th year, Mary Robinson addresses the Security Council on multilateralism, nuclear arms control and gender equality. 
Photos
2019: a year in review
18 Dec 2019
2019 has been a busy year for The Elders and the world. Find out more about our activities.
News
COP 25: High hopes but disappointing conclusions in Madrid
17 Dec 2019
COP 25: High hopes but disappointing conclusions in Madrid
Speeches and Discussions
The Escazú Agreement places human rights at the heart of tackling the climate crisis
12 Dec 2019
The Escazú Agreement is a unique and historic achievement, not only for Latin America and the Caribbean but for the world, because it specifically offers protection to human rights defenders on environmental issues.
Speeches and Discussions
States alone cannot deliver the Paris Agreement - the role of the financial community is critical
11 Dec 2019
Speaking at the F20 Reception at COP25, Mary Robinson calls for cooperative action towards sustainable development. 
Speeches and Discussions
Gender equality is key to tackling the climate crisis
10 Dec 2019
Speaking on Gender Day at COP25 in Madrid, Mary Robinson calls for inclusivity to be lived out in the actions we all take when tackling the climate emergency.
Opinion
Nuclear weapons are still the greatest threat to world peace. NATO must take action now to protect humanity
03 Dec 2019
The risk of a nuclear war is higher than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Mary Robinson warns leaders meeting at NATO's London Summit in London to seize the opportunity to prevent a new arms race. Published in The Independent.
Speeches and Discussions
The spirit of multilateral endeavour is sorely needed in today's troubled and turbulent times
26 Nov 2019
Addressing the Nuclear Disarmament Conference in The Hague, Mary Robinson outlines the steps countries must take to minimise the existential threat to humanity posed by nuclear weapons. 
Media Releases
The Elders condemn US shift on Israeli settlements as attack on international law
20 Nov 2019
The Elders today strongly condemned the policy shift announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the legality of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories as injurious to peace and an attack on the broader system and values of international law
Opinion
Japan must act now to regain its status of global climate leader
20 Nov 2019
Japan was once a pioneer of climate leadership. Now, Mary Robinson and CEO of the ECF, Laurence Tubiana urge the country to embrace this role again by leading the technological breakthrough on clean energy systems of the future.
Photos
One Young World 2019: A dialogue between generations
08 Nov 2019
Mary Robinson, Gro Brundtland and Lakhdar Brahimi attended the 10th One Young World Summit in London in October 2019. Championing intergenerational dialogue, The Elders enjoyed opportunities to speak to and learn from the young leaders attending.
Media Releases
The Elders call for open access to Kashmir to assess humanitarian and rights situation
25 Oct 2019
The Elders today expressed grave concern at the recent killings by militants and security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir and urged both India and Pakistan to act with restraint and responsibility to defuse tensions.
News
Together, we can shape a better future for us all
24 Oct 2019
At a time of populism and isolationism, when polarised politics and self-interest have the upper hand, The Elders offer an alternative approach.
News
The Elders at One Young World
21 Oct 2019
This year the One Young World Summit will welcome The Elders to London to celebrate its 10th anniversary summit.
Speeches and Discussions
Leadership is crucial in this climate crisis - Mary Robinson
08 Oct 2019
"The climate crisis is a battle for our lives and, currently, we are losing." Mary Robinson speaks at the TCFD Summit in Tokyo, Japan.
News
Hopes raised at UNGA but still much more to do
01 Oct 2019
From universal health coverage, to the climate emergency; the refugee crisis, to access to justice, The Elders’ voice was prominent at the 74th UN General Assembly.
Speeches and Discussions
The lack of concern and absence of political will risks nuclear catastrophe
26 Sep 2019
Mary Robinson highlights failures around non-proliferation consensus building which has allowed for the termination of several nuclear agreements
Opinion
Europe's refugee policy is test of its true 'way of life'
19 Sep 2019
Gro Harlem Brundtland and Mary Robinson call on EU leaders to show more solidarity to refugees and share responsibility for resettlement more equitably among member states. Published in the EU Observer.
Media Releases
The Elders stand in solidarity with young people calling for critical climate action
19 Sep 2019
Ahead of the Climate Summit on 23 September 2019, The Elders call on world leaders to take the radical and decisive action needed to curb global emissions, end reliance on fossil fuels and to keep global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Media Releases
The Elders call on Zimbabwe’s leaders to place citizens’ needs over party interests
07 Sep 2019
The Elders call on Zimbabwe’s political leaders and all figures in authority to commit to a truly inclusive national dialogue and prioritise the economic and social needs of ordinary citizens over party politics, factionalism and self-interest.
Speeches and Discussions
A moment to demand real ambition from leaders to achieve the SDGs
16 Jul 2019
Mary Robinson addressed the opening of the ministerial segment of the High Level Political Forum at the UN in New York
News
#JusticeForAll: Elders' call for greater commitments
11 Jul 2019
More than 5 billion people do not have meaningful access to justice. This should shame us all. The Elders are calling on all leaders to make more ambitious commitments to achieve Justice For All at the High Level Political Forum in New York.
Media Releases
The Elders call for end to Gulf brinkmanship, urge Iran to continue to abide by JCPOA
21 Jun 2019
The Elders call on all states to refrain from any actions or rhetoric that could further inflame tensions in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East.
Speeches and Discussions
To prevent conflict, states must deliver access to justice
20 Jun 2019
Noting the transformative role played by access to justice in securing peaceful, stable and legitimate states, Mary Robinson calls for innovation, increased financing & improved collaboration to build inclusive, people-centred justice systems.
Media Releases
The Elders' statement on UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia
20 Jun 2019
The Elders welcome today’s ruling that UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen have been unlawful. The UK must now stop supplying arms that can be used in violation of international humanitarian law.
News
Fossil fuel and finance CEOs take first steps to climate action at Vatican summit
20 Jun 2019
On 13-14 June, Mary Robinson joined the second Vatican Energy Transition Dialogue convened by Pope Francis to demand bold and urgent climate action from leaders of the world’s fossil fuel and investment companies.
Photos
Together #WithRefugees: Elders visit Gambela, Ethiopia
19 Jun 2019
Earlier this year, The Elders travelled to the west of Ethiopia to meet and express solidarity with refugees. To mark World Refugee Day, we look at some of the challenges faced by those living in Nguenyyiel, the biggest camp in Gambela.
Speeches and Discussions
Industry must commit to halt all future fossil fuel extraction
14 Jun 2019
Mary Robinson attended a meeting convened by Pope Francis in the Vatican on 13-14 June on “The Energy Transition and Care for our Common Home”, attended by CEOs of leading oil and gas companies, and financial investment funds.
Speeches and Discussions
The UNSC must work together to deliver its mandate
12 Jun 2019
Addressing a UN Security Council session on conflict prevention and mediation, Mary Robinson implores Council Members to work together to deliver on its commitments outlined in the UN Charter.
News
The Elders discuss multilateralism and conflict prevention at the Council on Foreign Relations
11 Jun 2019
Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joined Council of Foreign Relations President Richard Haass in New York to discuss the vital role of a well-functioning multilateral system.
Speeches and Discussions
Mary Robinson: honour Kofi Annan's legacy by countering today's rising isolationism
03 Jun 2019
Mary Robinson reflects on the life of Kofi Annan, the values that were the driving force behind his sucesses and the legacy that must be defended in the face of rising populism and isolationism. 
Photos
The Elders’ visit to Ethiopia: refugees, health and democracy
30 May 2019
In May 2019, The Elders visited Ethiopia for their biannual board meeting. This allowed for the opportunity to hold talks with Ethiopia's leadership, listen to refugees in the western Gambela region and promote the importance of primary health care.
Speeches and Discussions
Putting gender inclusion at the centre of open government
30 May 2019
Delivering the closing keynote on gender and inclusion, Mary Robinson calls on women to get involved in political struggles and show solidarity with each other to secure justice and open up the halls of government for our children and grandchildren.

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