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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

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.

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.

The Elders call on leaders to increase funding for legal empowerment and justice services that meet the needs of women

The Elders call on governments, funders, and decision-makers to invest in legal empowerment and justice services for women - in particular those delivered by women’s groups.

The Elders call on leaders to increase the number of women in leadership positions in the justice sector

A lack of intersectional and feminist leadership in the justice sector – and the lack of diverse women’s voices in decision-making at every level – undermines progress to achieving gender equality and access to justice for all.

China, Japan and South Korea must work together to end coal use and funding

Ahead of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021, Ban Ki-moon calls for leadership to create a healthy, resilient and net zero-emissions future across Asia and beyond. Published in South China Morning Post.

Annual Review 2020: Finding Humanity in times of crisis

The Elders' 2020 Annual Review is now available to download. It highlights the challenges to global health, rights and development posed by COVID-19 and how The Elders have adapted to the new realities.

Pandemic preparedness and vaccine equity are key to global health security

During a pandemic, it's in every country's interest to cooperate. Gro Harlem Brundtland reflects on the COVID-19 crisis and how we can mitigate the impact of the current pandemic as well as prevent future health emergencies.

Climate vulnerable nations need more than recycled promises

Graça Machel calls for a concerted international effort to increase climate financing and advance climate justice.

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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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