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Pandemic Preparedness: A Collective Responsibility for a Safer Future

The first blog in a collaborative series between the United Nations Youth Office and The Elders, focused on intergenerational solidarity

Elders Statements

The Elders urge immediate end to Israel’s attacks on Gaza and resumption of ceasefire

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders call for an immediate end to Israel’s latest military assault and urge a credible diplomatic peace process.

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It’s time for a woman to serve as UN Secretary-General

Elbegdorj Tsakhia

Elbegdorj Tsakhia reflects on the shifting geopolitical landscape and urges that women’s voices be at the forefront of global decision-making.

Speeches and Discussions

Cooperation isn’t utopian - it works

At the Tokyo Conference 2025, Helen Clark warned that rising nuclear risks and the breakdown of multilateral cooperation are threatening global security

Juan Manuel Santos urges inclusive peace talks for Ukraine's future

Juan Manuel Santos

Three years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Juan Manuel Santos urges world leaders to stand firm on justice, accountability and Ukrainian sovereignty.

The Doomsday Clock is moving again: Every second counts

7 February 2025

Helen Clark shares insights from her recent visits to Davos and the Norad annual conference, emphasising the importance of collaboration to secure lasting solutions to global 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.

Speeches and Discussions

Justice for women and girls must be at the core of our COVID-19 response

Mary Robinson underscores that crises are never gender-neutral and calls on governments to address the intersecting issues faced by women and girls in their pandemic recovery plans.

UK nuclear announcement ‘shocking and alarming’ warn the Elders

The Elders say UK proposals risk contributing to a dangerous new nuclear arms race

ICC and Israel-Palestine: an investigation is a step towards justice

Mary Robinson underscores the importance of accountability and calls on the international community to support the International Criminal Court's decision to investigate the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

A post-COVID-19 world must address systemic inequalities and injustices

Mary Robinson calls for climate action, justice and a sustainable recovery from COVID-19. Published in The Young Geographer: The Climate Justice Edition.

How close are we to realising gender equality?

How do we accelerate the unfinished business of the landmark Beijing Declaration on women’s rights? Mary Robinson and Amani Aruri in conversation.

Women’s leadership must drive the global recovery from COVID-19

Marking International Women's Day 2021, Mary Robinson reflects on why women leadership is crucial in achieving a more equal society post-COVID-19, and why the success of COP26 will depend on it. Published in Inter Press Service.

International actors in peace-building must be guided by humility and respect

It is only through working together in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect that we can build peace, recover sustainably from the pandemic and tackle the other great existential challenges facing humanity.

Speeches and Discussions

The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis for human rights and development

Mary Robinson addresses the UN Human Rights Council on the rights of the child and the SDGs, highlighting the importance to uphold rights for the most vulnerable in the global community amid COVID-19.

The world remains dangerously off track on climate, The Elders warn ahead of critical UN assessment

The Elders have voiced grave concern about the lack of ambition from many world leaders, as the UN reports back on carbon commitments ahead of the crucial COP26 climate summit in Glasgow this November.

Fronteras cerradas e injusticia en la vacunación: COVID-19 y la migración en América Latina

Mauricio Viloria y Diana Ortiz Viloria, de MECoPA, hablan sobre la necesidad de reconocer el camino en el que las restricciones impuestas a la migración forzada aumentan los riesgos en la salud pública.

Closed borders and vaccine injustice: COVID-19 and migration in Latin America

Mauricio Viloria and Diana Ortiz Viloria of MECoPa write about the need to recognise the ways in which restrictions on forced migration amplify risks to public health.

From conflict to climate change: collective efforts are needed to overcome shared challenges

COVID-19 affected every aspect of our lives in 2020, and how we respond to it as a global community has important implications for our approach to other shared, existential threats including climate change and nuclear weapons.

The Elders call on President Biden to reverse the designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism

The Elders today called on President Biden to take immediate steps to reverse the decision, taken by the former Trump Administration on 11 January, to redesignate Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The Elders condemn military coup d’état in Myanmar

The Elders today condemned the coup d’état by the military in Myanmar and called on the international community to exert pressure for an immediate return to civilian rule.

COVID-19 shows that we cannot take stability and competent governance for granted

With the Doomsday Clock remaining at just 100 seconds to midnight, Gro Harlem Brundtland warns of an alarmingly high level of existential risk to humanity. Published in Project Syndicate.

Finding Humanity Podcast: critical conversations with The Elders

The Finding Humanity podcast explores the need for empathetic and principled leadership on some of the biggest challenges humanity is grappling with today.

The Elders welcome US-Russian agreement to extend New START nuclear treaty

The Elders today welcomed the agreement by US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) for five years.

Speeches and Discussions

The hands of the Doomsday Clock remain still: the existential challenges we face do not

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf warns that while the 2021 Doomsday Clock hands remain at 100 seconds to midnight, the existential threats we face demand urgent action.

The Elders explore hope, leadership and the COVID-19 recovery in a new series of the Finding Humanity podcast

As the new US President Joe Biden calls for unity in tackling the cascading crises of our era, The Elders embark on a new podcast series looking at the leadership needed to meet the challenges ahead.

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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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