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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

Helen Clark joins The Elders as group continues push for courageous leadership on existential threats

Helen Clark Mary Robinson

The Elders today welcomed former New Zealand Prime Minister and UNDP leader Helen Clark as the newest member of their group.

The time is now for action on climate and pandemics

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

In our latest newsletter, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein considers the multilateral cooperation needed on the climate crisis and pandemics as the Africa Climate Summit progresses and the G20 and United Nations General Assembly High-Level week approach.

The Loss and Damage Youth Coalition on financing climate justice

The Loss and Damage Youth Coalition on financing climate justice

The Elders' calls to action for COP28

The Elders lay out their calls to action that must be delivered for COP28 to ensure climate justice and a liveable future.

Living Mandela's legacy: we must keep rising up until the future is safe and just

In our latest newsletter, Graça Machel considers Nelson Mandela's legacy, the scale of the nuclear threat, and the vital need for women's leadership in addressing today's urgent challenges.

We cannot stop until there is equity for all: Women Deliver 2023 in pictures

We cannot stop until there is equity for all: Women Deliver 2023 in pictures

Why Oppenheimer's nuclear fears are just as relevant today

Mary Robinson Mary Robinson called for greater urgency and political commitment to reduce the risk posed by nuclear weapons in TIME.

Oppenheimer’s nuclear warnings more relevant than ever, Elders warn

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon

The Elders today call for increased urgency in the global debate on the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons.

The Elders publish new policy paper on nuclear weapons

The Elders publish a new policy paper on the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons.

Speeches and Discussions

Every sector must help tackle the climate crisis

Mary Robinson underscored the critical need for legal and justice institutions to deliver climate action at the 2023 Women Deliver Conference.

Speeches and Discussions

Mitigating global threats depends on women's leadership

In a keynote speech at the 2023 Women Deliver Conference, Graça Machel delivered a rallying call for women's leadership on the existential threats facing humanity. With women front and center, equality and justice will be embedded into action.

In the face of today's existential threats, we must draw strength from Nelson Mandela's legacy

Mary Robinson Graça Machel Gro Harlem Brundtland

To mark Nelson Mandela Day, Mary Robinson, Graça Machel and Gro Harlem Brundltand reflect on his enduring legacy.

We must never give up on peace and justice

In The Elders' latest newsletter, Ban Ki-moon reflects on his recent visit to Israel and Palestine, and considers links between the global challenges of the climate crisis and conflict.

Mary Robinson joins President Zelenskyy and Greta Thunberg to discuss environmental consequences of war

Mary Robinson joins President Zelenskyy, Greta Thunberg and others in Kyiv to discuss environmental consequences of war.

Elders support peace and justice amid worsening violence in Israel and Palestine

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon

Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon visited Israel and Palestine from 20-22 June 2023, on the first Elders’ mission to the region since a 2015 mission by Jimmy Carter and Gro Brundtland.

Elders warn of consequences of “one-state reality” in Israel and Palestine

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon

Elders warn of consequences of “one-state reality” in Israel and Palestine

اللغة العربية

Conflict-related sexual violence must end

To mark International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Graça Machel calls on leaders to work more urgently to prevent this crime, to challenge impunity, and to support and protect survivors.

The Elders to visit Israel and Palestine from 20-22 June

Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon will visit Israel and Palestine from 20-22 June as part of The Elders’ long-standing support for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the principle of two states.

Reflections from the Elders' board meeting in Seoul

Ernesto Zedillo

In The Elders' latest newsletter, Ernesto Zedillo reflects on the multilateral action needed to address the existential threats facing humanity.

Speeches and Discussions

Cooperation on climate, peace and security is needed now

Juan Manuel Santos

At the UN Security Council meeting on climate, peace and security, Juan Manuel Santos underscored the importance of bold leadership and multilateral cooperation in tackling the interlinked global challenges of the climate crisis and conflict.

Elders Statements

The Elders urge global co-operation to manage risks and share benefits of AI

The Elders today call on world leaders to work together urgently on the design of strong international governance, to allow all humanity to take advantage of the opportunities of Artificial Intelligence (AI), while limiting the enormous risks.

Nuclear states must now act following G7 statement

As the G7 leaders release their Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament, The Chair of The Elders, Mary Robinson, stresses this must now lead to meaningful dialogue and action from nuclear states.

Speeches and Discussions

Global health security relies on coordinated political leadership at the highest levels

Gro Harlem Brundtland

At the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization, Gro Harlem Brundtland reiterated The Elders' priorities for ensuring pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and strengthening global health security.

Addressing global challenges requires multilateral action

There is an urgent need for political will in scaling up support from multilateral institutions to address the threats facing humanity today, says Ricardo Lagos.

Annual Review 2022: Building Unity for Peace and Justice

The Elders' 2022 Annual Review is now available to download. It highlights our activities from the past year, including our visit to Ukraine, engagement with climate leaders, and discussions with members of the UN Security Council on global crises.

Ban Ki-moon calls for an urgent change of direction in Myanmar

Ban Ki-moon calls for an urgent change of direction in Myanmar

ဗမာဘာသာစကား

The path to an international tribunal on aggression in Ukraine must run through the UNGA

Ban Ki-moon urges leaders at the UNGA to support an international tribunal as a way to hold Russia's top leadership accountable for the crime of aggression in Ukraine, tackle impunity and defend the essence of the UN Charter.

Speeches and Discussions

2023 must be a year of change in global financing to prepare for pandemic threats

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf gave a speech at a World Bank reception and called for commitments by world leaders to financing global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

International financial institution ambition needed to rebuild trust in multilateralism

Juan Manuel Santos

In an op-ed for the Financial Times, Juan Manuel Santos calls on World Bank and IMF governors to take the “historic opportunity to address the triple crises of climate, debt and poverty.”

With bold political will, a safe future is still possible

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf considers the action needed from leaders in 2023 on gender equality, pandemics and the climate crisis.

Speeches and Discussions

Why women's leadership is vital in an uncertain world

Mary Robinson gave a keynote address to the Women’s Empowerment Assembly in Tokyo on the importance of women's leadership in creating a peaceful, sustainable and equitable future.

Speeches and Discussions

2023 and beyond: Our responsibilities to the future of the world

Mary Robinson gave a keynote speech at the Tokyo Conference 2023, urging Japan to use its G7 Presidency to push for urgent action on existential threats and concerted efforts to strengthen the multilateral system.

The Elders push for ambitious action ahead of G7 in Japan

The Chair of The Elders and former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, will be in Japan from 24 March to deliver a keynote address on multilateralism and global threats to the Tokyo Conference.

Women must be seen as vital agents for peace

Graça Machel Juan Manuel Santos Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

On International Women’s Day 2023, The Elders call on governments and institutions to support women peace-builders and recognise their essential role in achieving just and sustainable peace around the world.

Focus hub: International Women's Day 2023

To mark International Women's Day 2023, The Elders launch a digital focus hub to support and highlight the voices of women working on the frontlines of peace-building in their countries and communities.

Women’s voices and ideas must be prioritised at the highest levels of decision-making

Sarah Little, journalist and founder of More to Her Story, explains the voices of women and girls must be prioritised if lasting peace and prosperity is to be achieved.

Unified support for Ukraine is as vital as ever

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland considers the importance of global solidarity and unity in support of Ukraine, one year after President Putin launched his full-scale invasion.

Unity on Ukraine is unity on peace and justice

Ban Ki-moon Juan Manuel Santos

One year after Putin's invasion, Ban Ki-moon and Juan Manuel Santos affirm that unity in support of Ukraine is crucial for upholding the broader rules-based global order.

Elders Statements

The Elders call for international condemnation of Russia's New START suspension

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon

On the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Elders call on all UN member states to condemn President Putin’s latest efforts to escalate his illegal war on Ukraine through suspending Russia’s participation in New START.

Global unity, justice and peace: The Elders’ priorities at the Munich Security Conference

Gro Harlem Brundtland Elbegdorj Tsakhia Juan Manuel Santos Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

The Elders called for global unity in the face of Russia’s war on Ukraine and greater recognition of the impact and challenges this conflict poses for countries in the Global South at the Munich Security Conference.

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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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