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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

This is President Lula’s moment to cement his status as a global climate leader

Graça Machel Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

19 November 2024

Graça Machel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf write for Le Monde Diplomatique Brasil, urging President Lula to lead the G20 in advancing climate justice

Graça Machel warns of signs of ethnic cleansing in Gaza

Graça Machel warns of alarming signs of ethnic cleansing in Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian catastrophe

World leaders must reject the path of chaos

Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos reflects on his new role as Chair of The Elders, highlights discussions from the recent board meeting in London, and calls on world leaders to act responsibly amid escalating global conflicts

Juan Manuel Santos named new Chair of The Elders

Juan Manuel Santos

The former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Laureate will become The Elders’ fourth Chair

Elders Statements

Failure to respect rule of law risks collapse of global stability

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

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

21 October 2024

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

Elders Statements

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.

Nobody left behind: equitable, sustainable and inclusive Universal Health Coverage for all

The Elders today publish a new Charter for Equitable, Sustainable and Inclusive Universal Health Coverage, marking the culmination of their work on UHC since 2016.

To maintain trust in the multilateral system, leaders must step up and stand by their promises

Ernesto Zedillo

Ernesto Zedillo reflects on the importance of strong leadership, accountability and action to tackle global threats, affirming the need for the world's biggest economies to do more and stand by their promises on multilateral cooperation.

Leaders must tackle root causes of gender-based violence and ensure justice for all

Hina Jilani Ricardo Lagos

To mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2022, The Elders call on leaders to tackle root causes of gender-based violence to ensure justice for all.

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.

Why leaders must put children first at COP27

With a foreword by Juan Manuel Santos, Lamisi Awini and Patience Agyekum call on leaders to centre intergenerational justice in their climate action.

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.

Ela Bhatt: a life in pictures

Ela Bhatt was a member of The Elders between 2007 and 2016.

The Elders mourn the passing of Ela Bhatt

The Elders are deeply saddened at the passing of their dear friend and colleague Ela Bhatt, who was a hugely admired and respected member of the group since its early days.

From G20 to COP27, leaders must act with shared responsibility

Ricardo Lagos urges world leaders to uphold their promises and take multilateral action on the crises facing humanity in our latest newsletter.

No more empty pledges at COP27: We need inclusive action on climate finance

With a foreword by Ban Ki-moon, Selamawit Desta Wubet urges for an inclusive COP and the delivery of climate finance.

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.

Loss and Damage financing will mean there is hope for climate justice

With a foreword by Hina Jilani, Ineza Umuhoza Grace writes about loss and damage as hope for achieving climate justice.

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.

The Elders join Chatham House for Ukraine war discussion

Juan Manuel Santos Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

On Monday 17 October, The Elders will host a panel event in partnership with Chatham House on the state of the global response to the war on Ukraine.

This will only be a truly 'African COP' if African climate crisis issues are prioritised

With a foreword by Gro Harlem Brundtland, Makoma Lekalakala from South Africa explains why leaders at COP27 must recognise and prioritise African climate concerns.

Women’s leadership is essential to addressing the climate crisis

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reflects on the injustice of the climate crisis, the need for women's leadership and the importance of solidarity and international cooperation.

The Elders' calls to action at COP27

The Elders lay out their calls to action that must be delivered upon at COP27 to achieve climate justice

Indigenous women must be present at decision making tables

Championed by Ellen Johnson Sirlief, Jane Meriwas from Kenya writes about the need to listen to, respect and value the leadership and solutions of Indigenous people.

The Elders condemn Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories

They urge all UN member states not to recognise Russian authority in these regions, and publicly support Ukraine’s right to defend its territory and sovereignty.

Elders Statements

The Elders endorse IAEA’s call for safety and security protection zone at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Ban Ki-moon Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders remain seriously concerned about the risk of a severe nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine’s and Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

Speeches and Discussions

Multilateralism is essential in tackling our shared challenges

Ban Ki-moon emphasises the importance of multilateralism at the One Young World 2022 Summit.

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.

Russia's war on Ukraine is a moral outrage

Ban Ki-moon reflects on his recent visit to Ukraine, the need for international solidarity and the global threat of nuclear weapons

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 stress neutrality on Ukraine cannot be an option following Kyiv visit

Juan Manuel Santos Ban Ki-moon

The Elders call for increased international support for Ukraine and stress that neutrality is not a moral option in the face of continued Russian aggression.

українська

The Elders visit Kyiv to show solidarity with Ukraine

Ban Ki-moon Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders are today visiting Kyiv to show their support for President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.

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.

With hope and action, we can forge a fairer future

Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos reflects on the state of hope today and the legacies of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.

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.

Peace and equality for all requires international solidarity

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

Zeid Raad Al Hussein reflects on World Refugee Day, the importance of a just climate transition, and hope.

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.

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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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