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Overwhelming times call for action and ambition

5 December 2024

Graça Machel reflects on a year of global challenges, calling for collective action and accountability

Speeches and Discussions

The Miwon Prize gives fresh impetus, validation and responsibility to The Elders' mission

29 November 2024

Ban Ki-moon accepts the Miwon Peace Prize on behalf of The Elders, in recognition of their dedication to global peace

Mary Robinson reacts to final COP29 agreement

Mary Robinson reacts to final COP29 agreement

Elders Statements

Gaza is a stain on the world’s conscience. President Biden can still change course.

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders condemn the ongoing violence in Gaza and urge President Biden to cease arms transfers to Israel

Speeches and Discussions

Nature must no longer be a silent victim of war

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

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

14 November 2024

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

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.

World Refugee Day 2022: Solidarity must mean action

Ban Ki-moon Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein Hina Jilani

To mark World Refugee Day 2022, The Elders call for inclusion and solidarity for all refugees, no matter where they are from.

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.

Mandela brought the Elders together 15 years ago. They are needed now, more than ever.

Graça Machel reflects on The Elders' May board meeting in South Africa, the climate crisis and Ukraine.

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.

Elders Statements

War in Ukraine must not escalate: it is time to talk of peace

The Elders reaffirm that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an outrageous, unjustifiable act, for which there must be accountability and justice.

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.

“Impunity in Israel and Palestine is as intolerable as it is in Ukraine”

Juan Manuel Santos

The international community must show resolve in the face of aggression in Israel and Palestine.

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.

To build a fairer world, healthcare for all is essential

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland considers the importance of primary health care in building a fairer world after COVID-19.

Public financing for primary health care is key to rebuilding after COVID-19

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland explores how investing in Public Health Care helps strengthen health security and broadens access for the marginalised and vulnerable.

We need each other in the struggle for a more peaceful, just world

Hina Jilani reflects on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the steps needed to secure access to justice for all.

Annual Review 2021: Finding Hope in our Common Humanity

The Elders' 2021 Annual Review is now available to download. It highlights our impact at COP26, State of Hope virtual gatherings and our engagement with the United Nations Security Council.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be key in determining future geopolitical trends

Ricardo Lagos reflects the global ramifications of Putin's war and how the US-China relationship will be key in the future.

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.

Palestinian civil society is under threat

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

Zeid Raad Al Hussein spoke with Palestinian civil society organisations at an event co-hosted with The Carter Center to demonstrate solidarity and call for greater protection of civic space by the international community.

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.

Speeches and Discussions

We must strengthen past victories to ensure access to justice for women and girls

Ensuring access to justice is accessible for all remains a challenge, but hope can be found in reflecting on how far we have come, says Hina Jilani.

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.

Multilateral cooperation is needed to tackle shared global challenges

Ban Ki-moon explores how collaboration between countries is needed to tackle COVID-19, climate change and conflicts.

Speeches and Discussions

The multilateral health system must be strengthened with the UN at its core

Ban Ki-moon highlights the global challenges to public health, peace and sustainability in the coming decade.

Speeches and Discussions

Leaders must work together to tackle COVID-19 and prepare for future pandemics

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Multilateral cooperation is needed to ensure vaccine equity is delivered, says Gro Harlem Brundtland.

Elders Statements

The Elders warn civilians will pay the price if diplomacy fails in Ukraine crisis

All parties must work for a peaceful solution through dialogue.

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’.

Remembering Archbishop Desmond Tutu

We have compiled a selection of tributes from Arch's friends, colleagues and those inspired by his leadership.

Desmond Tutu: a life in pictures

Archbishop Desmond Tutu served as Chair of The Elders between 2007 and 2013.

The Elders mourn the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The Elders are deeply saddened at the passing of their dear friend and colleague Archbishop Desmond Tutu. His passing follows a long and brave battle against cancer, which never dimmed his determination to fight against injustice in all its forms.

Looking back on 15 years of The Elders

As The Elders marks its 15th anniversary in 2022, we reflect on some of the highlights and milestones along the way.

Men have a responsibility to tackle gender-based violence

Ban Ki-moon calls on leaders to put women’s rights at the top of the agenda.

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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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