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.

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.

The Global North must uphold the principles of the UN Refugee Convention

Seventy years ago, the world made a pact to protect refugees: the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. Yet too many of our leaders are failing to uphold that promise, writes Ban Ki-moon.

Peacemaking after the COVID-19 pandemic

Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos reflects on how leaders must foster hope and anchor policies in empathy, solidarity, and a long-term vision of the common good, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The power of civil society in a post-pandemic world

At a time when the foundations of democracy are under siege, we must ensure a vibrant civil society to progress on pressing issues – from economic and educational inequality to racial justice and climate change, says Hina Jilani.

A human rights approach to global challenges

The world will neither rebuild from the pandemic, nor have any chance of tackling wider existential threats, until leaders once more instill a sense of hope in political and civic life, writes Mary Robinson.

La igualdad de género, la justicia climática y la educación van de la mano

La activista por la justicia climática Julieta Martínez de Chile reflexiona sobre la intersección del cambio climático, la igualdad de género y la educación, y llama a abordar la crisis climática desde una perspectiva feminista.

Gender equality, climate justice and education go hand in hand

Climate justice activist Julieta Martínez from Chile reflects on the intersection between climate change, gender equality and education and calls for the climate crisis to be viewed from a feminist perspective.

Speeches and Discussions

The Elders to address the global ‘state of hope’ in a week of activity to mark Mandela Day

From 12 July, The Elders will bring together high-profile voices from across the world to launch a major new initiative to consider the State of Hope in these unprecedented times.

Elders Statements

The Elders urge heads of state to demonstrate personal leadership on pandemic prevention

The Elders today called on world leaders to take direct, personal responsibility for leading efforts to prevent a future global pandemic and manage the continued threat posed by COVID-19

Gender equality and looking ahead to Mandela Day

Ahead of Mandela Day, Graça Machel reflects on Mandela's vision for The Elders and the persistent injustices facing women and girls around the world.

Ban Ki-moon: The world should back a new approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Ban Ki-moon calls for a new approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and recognises the importance of the international community in ending the enduring violence and oppression in the region. First published in Financial Times.

A call to be the generation that brings about equality

At the Generation Equality Forum in Paris, Mary Robinson, Graça Machel and Hina Jilani outline the Elders' call on leaders to prioritise access to justice and gender equality.

全球复苏当以女性权利为核心

Los derechos de las mujeres deben ser una prioridad en la recuperación internacional

Es esencial que prioricemos la prevención de la violencia contra las mujeres durante la respuesta y recuperación de la COVID-19, y los hombres deben asumir su responsabilidad, reconocer sus errores y modificar sus actitudes y mensajes públicos, escribe Ba

Les droits des femmes doivent se trouver au cœur de la reprise mondiale

Il est essentiel de donner la priorité à la prévention de la violence à l’égard des femmes en réponse à la pandémie de COVID-19 et à la reprise, écrit Ban Ki-moon. Publié dans El País.

حقوق النساء يجب أن تكون في صميم جهود التعافي العالمي

World Refugee Day 2021: a call for leadership

As UNHCR publishes its annual Global Trends report, and ahead of World Refugee Day 2021, Mary Robinson and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reflect on the need for leadership amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marking Mandela’s legacy with a week of Elders’ discussion

The Elders’ State of Hope seeks to explore Nelson Mandela's vision in the context of contemporary challenges.

Elders Statements

The UN and AU must act now to prevent famine and end atrocities in Tigray, Ethiopia

The Elders today called on the UN Security Council and the African Union to take urgent steps to address the unfolding humanitarian and human rights crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia.

Leading the Youth Climate Movement in the Arab World

Youth climate activist Neeshad Shafi from Qatar emphasises the important role the Arab region ought to play in climate action and calls for civil society engagement to ensure climate action is inclusive and open to all.

The Elders call on G7 leaders to seize the moment on vaccines and climate action

The Elders call on G7 leaders to take urgent action on vaccine distribution and pledge new climate finance at the G7 summit 11-13 June, or risk further weakening the multilateral system on which future progress and prosperity depends.

Changing the narrative on gender justice

UN Youth Envoy Jayathma Wickramanayake writes for The Elders about gender justice and how to continue to advance access to justice for women and girls amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Preventing future pandemics and reforming the UN Security Council

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reflects on the recent report by the IPPPR and what is needed to ensure its recommendations are meaningfully acted upon by world leaders and international institutions.

Elders Statements

Myanmar risks state failure without significant increase in international pressure, The Elders warn

The Elders call on the international community to intensify pressure on the military leadership in Myanmar to prevent the country descending into endemic violence and state failure.

“Days marked by death tolls”: Finding hope amid global despair

Youth climate activist Nikayla Jefferson from California writes about her experience as a Black, queer woman in the youth climate movement and how, for her, the climate crisis is one of many existential threats.

Elders Statements

The Elders call on UN Security Council to address root causes of Israeli-Palestinian violence

The Elders today called on the UN Security Council to act urgently to prevent further military attacks in Israel and Palestine and address the root causes of the conflict.

The Elders welcome new report into pandemic preparedness and urge bold action on recommendations

The Elders welcome new recommendations calling for world leaders and the international community to act boldly and with urgency to limit the impacts of COVID-19 and prevent future crises.

Why democracy needs to open its doors to young people to tackle the climate crisis

Linus Dolder, a young climate activist living in Germany, shares his thoughts on youth participation in political processes and why it is crucial to ensure leaders treat the climate crisis with the urgency it requires.

COVID-19 offers an opportunity to reform the multilateral system

As COVID-19 has exposed the wide failure of global governance, Ernesto Zedillo calls for the world to seize this opportunity to reform the multilateral system to ensure future accountability and effectiveness.

Elders Statements

The Elders deeply regret the postponement of Palestinian elections

As Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas announces the postponement of parliamentary elections, Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson express concern for reconciliation and democratic rights.

Chancellor Merkel’s last chance to lead on climate

Ahead of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, Ban Ki-moon calls on German Chancellor Angela Merkel to show climate leadership by increasing climate finance to vulnerable countries. Published in Handelsblatt

President Biden's Leaders Summit on Climate: a welcome step but major powers must do more

Mary Robinson welcomes climate commitments made as President Biden convenes world leaders, but calls for increased ambition from major economies ahead of COP26, particularly on climate finance.

Winning the fight against climate change: The pivotal role of young people

Chibeze Ezekiel, a climate activist from Ghana, reflects on the power of grassroots and youth activism in forcing climate action and the need to allow young people to co-create their futures.

Speeches and Discussions

We must listen to the young people on the frontlines of climate change

Mary Robinson calls on world leaders to meaningfully include youth in tackling climate change ahead of COP26, and encourage intergenerational dialogue, as The Elders launch the Intergenerational Climate Blog Series 2021.

Ban Ki-moon calls on UN Security Council to act over Myanmar crisis

Ban Ki-moon calls on the UN Security Council to take decisive steps to address the crisis in Myanmar and support the restoration of constitutional rule, following the coup of 1 February.

Speeches and Discussions

China’s ambition can make a crucial difference on climate

Mary Robinson urges China and its international partners to act together to strengthen climate action, in a keynote address to the 20th Boao Forum for Asia.

Speeches and Discussions

The UN and its regional partners have a ‘fleeting window’ to cooperate on Myanmar

Highlighting the situation in Myanmar, Ban Ki-moon calls on the UN Security Council to work with regional partners to maintain peace and security.

The Elders call on leaders to prioritise access to justice and gender equality

The Elders call on leaders to prioritise access to justice and gender equality and for justice systems that are refocused on the needs of women and girls.

The Elders call for gender-just climate solutions

The Elders call for investment and support for climate vulnerable nations so that millions more women and girls in all their diversity can build resilience to climate and disaster risks, mitigate climate change, and address loss and damage.

The Elders call on leaders to invest in quality data and analysis on women’s justice problems and experiences

The Elders urge decision-makers to prioritise gender-disaggregated data to help understanding of where access to justice for women can be improved.

The Elders call on leaders to address justice for survivors of gender-based violence with renewed vigour

The Elders call for responsive justice services that are tailored to women’s needs and that empower women and inform them about their options at each stage of their justice journey.

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The science presented in the '#IPCC #ClimateChange 2023 Synthesis Report' is definitive. This decade is critical: it's still possible to limit warming to 1.5°C if drastic action is taken.

Governments must commit to tougher targets & accelerate the #FossilFuel phaseout this year. https://t.co/TCzFnj4hzP pic.twitter.com/SJd722n9rL
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