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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

Annual Report 2015: Reflecting the past, facing the future

The Elders have released their latest Annual Report. From Climate Change and the SDGs to Equality for Girls and Women and strengthening the UN, read highlights of The Elders’ work from 2015.

Elders Statements

The Elders welcome Myanmar’s new civilian government

The Elders' statement on Myanmar's new civilian government.

Remembering the people who make human rights meaningful

Hina Jilani celebrates Nelson Mandela and the individuals like him who challenge injustice and safeguard the fundamental rights we all share.

Grassroots solutions: the most powerful tools to fight poverty and inequality

Ela Bhatt explains why the poor and marginalised must be considered as both agents and the beneficiaries of change if the Sustainable Development Goals are to be achieved. First published in UNA-UK's "SDGs: the people's agenda" publication.

Farewell from The Elders' CEO

Lesley-Anne Knight reflects on her time as CEO of The Elders, celebrating its successes, and highlighting the challenges ahead.

Rising sea levels: “Our islands will one day be wiped off the map: what will happen to our women?"

Climate activist and poet Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner marks International Women’s Day by celebrating the strength and resilience of Marshall Islands’ women and highlights the importance of including women in tackling climate change.

Gender equality and climate change: the vital link for success beyond Paris

From assessing the "people-centred" COP21 Paris Agreement and how those on the frontlines can help the world in tackling climate change, to ensuring that women are empowered to make their voices heard, Mary Robinson marks International Women's Day by high

The Elders statement on the death of Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1922-2016)

The Elders extend their deepest condolences to the family of Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former UN Secretary-General.

Working for a stronger UN. Still much to do.

One year on from the launch of our ‘UN Fit for Purpose’ initiative at the Munich Security Conference, The Elders and our partners continue to press for change. This photo-story highlights progress to date and looks ahead to the work remaining in this

Lesley-Anne Knight retires as CEO of The Elders

The Chair of the Elders, Kofi Annan, today announced the retirement effective 18 March 2016 of Ms Lesley-Anne Knight, the Chief Executive Officer of The Elders.

The Elders urge a renewed commitment to the peace process in Syria

While The Elders welcome the outcome of the Syria Donor Conference in London, a determined and sustained effort to attain peace is the only way to protect the Syrian people. 

The Elders urge African Union to maintain efforts for peace and justice in Burundi

The Elders have written to the Chairperson of the African Union, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, in support of her efforts to bring peace and justice to Burundi, and urged her to press for a credible international security presence in the country.

Still fit for purpose? Elders’ UN proposals take centre stage at Sciences Po

Martti Ahtisaari and Lakhdar Brahimi discussed The Elders’ proposals for strengthening the UN at the Sciences Po event which included contributions from several possible candidates for the next Secretary-General and touched on issues from terrorism to t

Kofi Annan: "We all have a responsibility to assist refugees; they have rights"

Speaking from Davos to BBC Newsnight, Kofi Annan highlights the need for leadership and cooperation, from Europe's refugee crisis to resolving the Syrian civil war and tackling the Islamic State.

The Elders welcome the lifting of sanctions against Iran

The lifting of the sanctions against Iran is a diplomatic breakthrough fully supported by The Elders and proof that positive outcomes can be achieved through sustained political dialogue.

Martti Ahtisaari calls for UN reform at Sciences Po event in Paris

Almost one year on from launching our initiative to strengthen the United Nations, Martti Ahtisaari delivers a keynote address at the Sciences Po Youth & Leaders Summit in Paris calling for leadership by governments and the next Secretary-General in m

The Elders welcome UN High-Level Panel report on humanitarian funding

The Elders welcome the new report on humanitarian funding by the UN High-Level Panel and call on the world’s prosperous nations to show real ethical leadership to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable.

What will be on the agenda for the next Secretary-General of the United Nations

Livestreamed from Sciences Po’s Youth & Leaders Summit 2016 in Paris on Monday 18 January, Martti Ahtisaari and Lakhdar Brahimi speak on The Elders’ call for UN reform the serious challenges facing the next Secretary-General.

2016: a year for passionate intensity and positive change

Reflecting on the events of the past year, Kofi Annan calls on our current generation of leaders to show conviction to achieve positive change for in 2016.

As COP21 ends, the fight for responsible politics begins

Our Head of International Media William French returns from a successful COP21 and argues that politicians and the press need to talk honestly about the tough choices ahead to make the global climate deal work.

Paris agreement gives us momentum to build on

At the successful conclusion of the COP21 climate summit, Mary Robinson welcomes the new Paris Agreement, giving the world the opportunity to create a sustainable future.

An agreement for humanity: the Elders welcome COP21 climate deal

The Elders congratulate the signatories of the COP21 climate deal in Paris for reaching “an agreement for humanity” which, if implemented fully and in good faith, could herald a turning point in the fight against climate change, poverty and injustice.

Venezuelans to be congratulated for their deep commitment to democratic practice

The Elders congratulate the Venezuelan people on the recent election result and calls on all parties to address challenges that arise through appropriate legal channels.

A stronger UN means empowered human rights defenders

To mark Human Rights Day on 10 December, Hina Jilani argues that a stronger UN would deliver more universally implemented human rights. And this year, both are needed more than ever.

Palestinian rights are human rights

The Elders' Policy and Advocacy Director Andrew Whitley considers the link between International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November and the Human Rights Day on 10 December and explains why the need to uphold Palestinian rights sh

COP21: hopes are high that Paris will be a turning point for climate change

As the COP21 climate summit approaches its final week, Mary Robinson and Gro Harlem Brundtland spoke to the BBC World Service about their hopes and fears for Paris.

Palestine Refugees in Syria: A Recurring Tragedy

Refugees for over six decades, Palestinians in Syria face a precarious legal status given the civil war and renewed displacement. Mai Abu Moghli – a PhD candidate at the Institute of Education, University of London explains how some are falling through

How young people can combat violence against women

Violence against women is sometimes justified by abusers and perpetrators as a matter of ‘honour’. In this guest blog to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, youth activist Arifa Nasim from London explains how she

How can we deter our young from the lure of violent extremism?

In the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, the need to understand why our young are lured to violent extremism is more acute than ever. Our Middle East Analyst, Nigel Pearce recently attended a conference in Spain on ‘Preventing and Counterin

Four vital requirements to reach COP21 deal

World leaders are meeting in Paris to reach an agreement on climate change. The Elders have called for a strong, inclusive and equitable climate agreement in Paris. Here are four vital elements that The Elders are calling for leaders to resolve at COP21.

G20 Antalya Summit: The Elders' letter to leaders on climate change

The Elders have written to world leaders attending the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey. They call for strong leadership to ensure an equitable and ambitious international agreement on climate change in Paris in December.

The Elders urge G20 leaders to commit to a strong, inclusive and equitable climate deal

The Elders have written to the G20 heads of state and government on the need for a strong and just climate agreement at COP 21 in Paris.

Who has the courage to protect refugees?

Hina Jilani, back from a series of meetings in Evian and Geneva, expresses her grave concern with the lack of political will to protect refugees during the current crisis and calls on political leaders to show more courage.

Show political courage over the refugee crisis

The Elders urge European leaders to show political courage over the refugee crisis in a debate with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and the Director General of the International Organization for Migration Bill Swing.

Refugee Crisis: how language contributes to the fate of refugees

Europe is currently facing a crisis of conscience as refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East and Africa seek asylum. Michael Diedring and John Dorber of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles explain how calculated use of language on the crisis

Syrian Refugee Crisis: towards new global coordination

On 27 October, The Elders will debate the lessons of the ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Director General of the International Organization of Migration. Follow on Twitter: #RefugeeCrisis

How can the next Secretary-General secure the UN's future?

The Elders mark the UN's 70th anniversary by pressing for a more transparent Secretary-General selection process.

Why is climate action a justice issue of our time?

As the final round of climate negotiations before Paris begin today in Bonn, John Schellnhuber, founding Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research argues that if tomorrow won’t take care of itself, we need to take responsibility

The UN at 70: Has our global experiment worked?

On 9 October, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Hina Jilani marked the seventieth anniversary of the UN, with its High Commissioner for Human Rights at an event hosted by the United Nations Association - UK in London’s historic Guildhall.

Building momentum on global issues in New York

Last week, world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly. Four Elders travelled to the city to participate in the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals and host bilateral events on strengthening the UN.

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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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