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Speeches and Discussions

We are only protected by law if we abide by it

Juan Manuel Santos

19 January 2026

Juan Manuel Santos delivered a video address at the UN Association’s event marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly.

The expiration of New START threatens our collective security

Juan Manuel Santos

16 January 2026

In our latest newsletter, Juan Manuel Santos urges the US and Russia to extend New START before it expires – our collective security depends on it.

Elders Statements

Elders warn against a return to a ‘might-is-right’ world

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders call for the rule of law to be defended following the US’ illegal actions in Venezuela.

Speeches and Discussions

The UN is only as strong as its 193 Member States want it to be

Elder Emeritus Ban Ki-moon spoke on behalf of The Elders at the UN Security Council Open Debate on ‘Leadership for Peace: Future UN Leadership’, calling for reform of the Council and the role of the Secretary-General.

Elders Statements

Gaza “ceasefire” rings hollow as all Palestinians face security catastrophe

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders warn that suffering for Palestinians continues, despite the ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages

Human rights protect what it means to be human

For Human Rights Day, Hina Jilani reflects on the power of human rights in shaping our daily lives and on the responsibility we all share in upholding them

Lasting peace must be rooted in justice and human rights

3 December 2025

Delivering a keynote speech at the CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation’s 25th anniversary, Mary Robinson underscores the enduring vitality of the principles that guided his work.

Speeches and Discussions

Climate change is a gender issue

Mary Robinson is attending the Conference of Parties 20 in Lima, Peru. High on the agenda is gender equality.

Human Rights Day – A reminder of our obligations

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed sixty-six years ago is as relevant as it ever was. Today, we must continue to build the mechanisms that will afford everyone their human rights.

Mandela: the man behind the legacy

From what he was like to know as a person, to his impact and the legacy that he left behind, Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and fellow Elders honour Nelson Mandela on the anniversary of his passing.

Courage: the vital ingredient for a successful climate conference

Nicolas Hulot, Special Envoy of the French President for the Protection of the Planet, makes a plea to delegates to take bold steps for climate change.

Education: the best tool in the fight against racism in Israel

While Israelis and Palestinians struggle to find lasting peace, ACRI's Executive Director Sharon Abraham-Weiss believes that educating children against racism is an indispensable tool for preventing injustice and conflict

No time for another Copenhagen

Saleemul Huq, Director for the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, Bangladesh, has attended all 19 of the COP meetings since 1995. For COP20 he is optimistic that those at the negotiation table can come to an agreement.

Working on the frontline to prevent violence against women

Asha Haji Elmi is a politician, peace activist and the founder of Save Somali Women and Children, an organisation whose aim is to rebuild the lives of abused Somali women.

Violence against women – increasing public awareness

The Elders mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by highlighting some of the challenges facing women and girls including female foeticide, child marriage, sexual violence and equal participation; and call for increased publi

Iran nuclear talks: the world needs a positive outcome

Ahead of the approaching deadline, The Elders call on all parties in the Iran nuclear talks to take the necessary actions for an agreement to be reached.

Kofi Annan tells West African leaders: the world must do more to help you tackle Ebola

In letters to West African leaders, Kofi Annan expresses his solidarity with the populations affected by Ebola, and calls on the global community to take a stronger response to control and reverse the disease.

Fostering interfaith trust and ‘right speech’ in Myanmar

Harry Myo Lin, a young activist from Mandalay, Myanmar, talks to The Elders’ team about his efforts to help advance human rights and build interfaith peace in his country.

The Elders ask G20: get behind global climate fund & carbon pricing

Kofi Annan: markets need a reliable carbon price for world to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050In letters to the G20 ahead of their summit this week, The Elders call on the G20 leaders to promote the necessary decisive action on climate change.

“You cannot have sustainable peace without women”

How do we empower women at the peace-table – and how are they key to preventing conflict?
On Wednesday, The Elders held a public debate with women peacebuilders to discuss the role of women in peace.

Building a lasting peace: where are the women?

On 5 November, The Elders and four women change-makers, activists and experts debated how to empower women in conflict and in peace-making, in a live-streamed public event.

Europe's climate deal is a huge achievement; it's time for the rest of the world to match it

As the latest report by the International Panel on Climate Change is released, former EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard highlights why the international community must follow Europe’s lead in acting on climate change.

Lowering the marriage age: a step in the wrong direction

“Such a change in legislation would undermine efforts to reduce poverty and improve the welfare of girls and women across Bangladesh.”
In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Kofi Annan warns of the dangers of lowering the minimum age

Are women really peaceful?

“Women are key assets for peace, yet the international community continues to ignore or marginalise them.”
Gender and conflict expert Sanam Naraghi Anderlini analyses the roles women play in conflict situations, and the challenges they face when cont

Meet the women peacebuilders

From grassroots activists, to policy advisors and campaigners, four women are working to include women at all levels in the peace process. 

Where are the women event

Has Europe delivered enough momentum for a global effort to cut carbon?

“To stave off the severe risks from extreme weather and rising seas, Europe’s announcement must be seen as a welcome opening offer and not the last word.”Climate expert Joss Garman welcomes Europe’s new deal on climate change but warns that more

Israel and Palestine: a tale of two narratives

"Historical traumas suffered by both Israelis and Palestinians could become a currency of compassion and understanding"
Our Senior Middle East Analyst Nigel Pearce argues that the culture of victimhood must be overcome for the Israeli-Palestinian peace p

How can young people join in the debate about climate change?

"When we're destroying the globe, you are the ones who will inherit it. Don't let politicians get away with it!"
On 16 October, Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson spoke on climate and ethical leadership with arctic explorer and environmental campaigner Parker

Let's not be afraid to challenge the traditions that harm girls

“Have the courage to take action. Society is ready to change.”Marking the International Day of the Girl Child, Hina Jilani calls on the international community and civil society to work together to improve the lives of girls and women.

Women at the heart of sustainable peace

‘No society can develop – economically, politically or socially – when half of its population is marginalised’Speaking at the annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, Mary Robinson champions women as agents of change, from addressing con

Climate change: Keeping up the pressure #NowNotTomorrow

“The people of the world want to see an end to the threat from climate change”
Returning from New York, Elders CEO Lesley-Anne Knight reflects on the results of last week’s Climate Summit, which follows the largest-ever march on climate change, an

Gro Harlem Brundtland recognised for contributions to sustainable development

“The world has been much too slow to seriously respond to the clear and mounting evidence before us.”Gro Harlem Brundtland receives a prize for her work on sustainable development in New York and implores leaders to take bold decisions to address cl

Climate: our responsibility. Now not tomorrow.

“We have a duty to be exceptionally ambitious... If leaders are unwilling to lead when leadership is required, people must.”As preparations begin for the UN Climate Summit, Kofi Annan urges us all to take personal responsibility to ensure ambitious

The Elders call for climate action #NowNotTomorrow

“We all talk about climate change. I have a sense that people don't take it seriously.” Kofi AnnanJoined by fellow Elders Gro Harlem Brundtland, Mary Robinson and Ernesto Zedillo, Kofi Annan calls on world leaders to take action on climate change ah

Now. Not tomorrow.

How can we urge our leaders to act on climate change?Ahead of next week’s Climate Summit, we are joining people worldwide in calling for immediate action to protect our planet.

Pillars of Peace Hawaii: how can young people become ethical leaders?

“We all have leadership qualities in us; the question is where does your inspiration come from and how can you contribute?” Gro Harlem Brundtland
From the greatest impediments to peace to ethical leadership, view the highlights of The Elders’ discu

Making a living in limbo: Work as a Myanmar refugee

Following on from our photo story about life in Mae La refugee camp on the Thailand-Myanmar border, we take a closer look at the livelihoods of the camp’s residents. How do the refugees make a living while confined by the laws of their host country, and

Creating a just global community – join the debates

What’s your question to the Elders?Join the discussion this weekend, as three Elders debate ethical leadership, equality and global citizenship with civil society in Hawaii.

Hawaii's lesson of peace

“We all have a role to play... Each one of us can make a positive difference to this world of ours.” Gro Harlem BrundtlandNext week, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Hina Jilani and Desmond Tutu will be in Hawaii, speaking with community leaders and civil soc

"A day to remind the world that we need more humanity"

“We can and must do more to live up to our human duty to help and protect those in dire need.”
Marking World Humanitarian Day, senior OCHA official John Ging outlines the importance of humanitarian assistance, the challenges aid workers face, and wha

Graça Machel: Achieve by building on the strengths of others

“There’s not anything you achieve as individuals; you achieve within a context of building on strengths of other people around you”Raised by her mother and eldest sister, Graça Machel reflects on how family unity led her to believe achievements a

Gro Harlem Brundtland: Equality – where being a girl proves no obstacle

“I was a lucky child because I had parents who believed that girls were as essential as boys… we were not treated differently.”Gro Harlem Brundtland speaks about her parents’ vision of equality and its impact on her childhood.

Ernesto Zedillo: “Education is a means to be a better person for others”

“Education is not only to serve ourselves as individuals but to serve others."Ernesto Zedillo discusses his belief, learned from his parents and teachers, that education is about benefitting the community.

Who inspires the young?

To mark International Youth Day, the Elders reflect on their youth and those who instilled in them the values that led them to where they are today.

Gaza: a cycle of violence that can be broken

Writing in Foreign Policy, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson argue that to help bring Israelis and Palestinians closer to peace, world leaders must recognise Hamas and pressure both sides to respect international law.

Going beyond the kitchen: empowering women and changing mindsets in Myanmar

Mi Kun Chan Non, Vice Chair of the Mon Women’s Organization, argues that women need to be fully involved in Myanmar’s peace process and explains her work to create a new generation of women leaders.

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#UNGA80 | The UN’s recognition of Palestine is an important step but it cannot be the finish line. This is not the time to say “we’ve done our part”.

It’s the time to act. @HelenClarkNZ urges that recognition must be followed by real change on the ground. pic.twitter.com/KZnqPKCDnH
— The Elders (@TheElders) September 25, 2025

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