News & Insight | The Elders

Speeches and Discussions

The UN Security Council must speak with one voice

3 November 2022

On Thursday 3 November Mary Robinson addressed the UN Security Council on building resilience in UN peacekeeping operations and the need to tackle the root causes of conflict.

From G20 to COP27, leaders must act with shared responsibility

1 November 2022

Ricardo Lagos urges world leaders to uphold their promises and take multilateral action on the crises facing humanity in our latest newsletter.

Elders Statements

The Elders warn G20: your failure of leadership is worsening global crises

Elders Statement: The Elders today challenge G20 leaders to do their job: to rise above their differences and find consensus on the leadership needed to tackle the inter-connected crises facing humanity.

The Elders join Chatham House for Ukraine war discussion

Juan Manuel Santos Zeid Raad Al Hussein

On Monday 17 October, The Elders will host a panel event in partnership with Chatham House on the state of the global response to the war on Ukraine.

The Elders condemn Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories

They urge all UN member states not to recognise Russian authority in these regions, and publicly support Ukraine’s right to defend its territory and sovereignty.

Elders Statements

The Elders endorse IAEA’s call for safety and security protection zone at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Ban Ki-moon Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders remain seriously concerned about the risk of a severe nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine’s and Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

Russia's war on Ukraine is a moral outrage

2 September 2022

Ban Ki-moon reflects on his recent visit to Ukraine, the need for international solidarity and the global threat of nuclear weapons

The Elders deplore Russia’s move to block a consensus outcome to the NPT Review Conference

Mary Robinson expresses disappointment that that consensus has not been reached on a final statement at the NPT Review Conference.

The Elders condemn Israel’s repressive actions against Palestinian NGOs

Mary Robinson Zeid Raad Al Hussein

The Elders are deeply concerned at Israel’s latest repressive actions and raids against Palestinian NGOs in the occupied territories.

Elders Statements

The Elders stress neutrality on Ukraine cannot be an option following Kyiv visit

Juan Manuel Santos Ban Ki-moon

The Elders call for increased international support for Ukraine and stress that neutrality is not a moral option in the face of continued Russian aggression.

українська

The Elders visit Kyiv to show solidarity with Ukraine

Ban Ki-moon Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders are today visiting Kyiv to show their support for President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.

Elders Statements

The Elders urge Iran to seize the moment and endorse nuclear breakthrough

The Elders call for participants in the Vienna negotiations to endorse the latest proposals to resolve the talks about the future of the nuclear deal.

Mandela brought the Elders together 15 years ago. They are needed now, more than ever.

Graça Machel reflects on The Elders' May board meeting in South Africa, the climate crisis and Ukraine.

Elders Statements

War in Ukraine must not escalate: it is time to talk of peace

The Elders reaffirm that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an outrageous, unjustifiable act, for which there must be accountability and justice.

“Impunity in Israel and Palestine is as intolerable as it is in Ukraine”

Juan Manuel Santos

The international community must show resolve in the face of aggression in Israel and Palestine.

To build a fairer world, healthcare for all is essential

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland considers the importance of primary health care in building a fairer world after COVID-19.

We need each other in the struggle for a more peaceful, just world

Hina Jilani reflects on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the steps needed to secure access to justice for all.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be key in determining future geopolitical trends

Ricardo Lagos reflects the global ramifications of Putin's war and how the US-China relationship will be key in the future.

Palestinian civil society is under threat

Zeid Raad Al Hussein

Zeid Raad Al Hussein spoke with Palestinian civil society organisations at an event co-hosted with The Carter Center to demonstrate solidarity and call for greater protection of civic space by the international community.

Elders Statements

The Elders call for a criminal tribunal to investigate alleged crime of aggression in Ukraine

Mary Robinson Zeid Raad Al Hussein

Impunity for aggressors must end if the international community is to deter acts of aggression in future.

The Elders stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine

Mary Robinson reflects on the current desperate time for humanity following President Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Elders Statements

The Elders deplore Putin’s nuclear escalation and urge continued NATO restraint

President Vladimir Putin’s decision to place Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenal on “special alert” status is a reckless escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.

Elders Statements

The Elders condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a reckless threat to world peace

Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon

The invasion is a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter that threatens to destabilise world security.

Multilateral cooperation is needed to tackle shared global challenges

Ban Ki-moon explores how collaboration between countries is needed to tackle COVID-19, climate change and conflicts.

Elders Statements

The Elders warn civilians will pay the price if diplomacy fails in Ukraine crisis

All parties must work for a peaceful solution through dialogue.

Speeches and Discussions

Cooperation between China and US crucial for sustainability and prosperity

Mary Robinson emphasises how cooperation between China and the US is needed to develop robust frameworks for 21st century governance.

Remembering Arch; looking to COP27, welcoming small steps on nuclear weapons

Mary Robinson looks back on the past 12 months and remembers the importance of beginning the new year with hope.

The Elders welcome P5 statement on nuclear weapons and call for concrete action

The joint statement affirmed the Reagan-Gorbachev maxim that ‘a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought’.

Israel’s designation of Palestinian NGOs as “terrorist” undermines core democratic principles

The Elders express their concern at Israel's misuse of anti-terrorism frameworks to restrict civil society.

Elders Statements

The Elders call on African leaders to push for an urgent ceasefire in Ethiopia

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Juan Manuel Santos Ban Ki-moon

The Elders today urged African leaders to intervene to stop the conflict in Ethiopia escalating into a regional crisis and an even worse humanitarian disaster.

The Elders call on all parties to JCPOA to seek compromise and keep talks alive

Ahead of the resumption of JCPOA talks in Vienna, The Elders call on all parties to show courageous leadership and a willingness to compromise.

The Elders condemn Israel’s illegal settlement expansion and call on its allies to act

Israeli plans for more than 3,100 new homes in the West Bank threatens the viability of the two-state solution and violates Palestinian rights.

The Elders call for PM’s release after reported coup in Sudan

The Elders express concern at the reported coup in Sudan and call for the immediate release of Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok.

Speeches and Discussions

The international community must act responsibly on Afghanistan

Lakhdar Brahimi

Lakhdar Brahimi addresses the UN Security Council on the precarious situation in Afghanistan and calls for unity within the international community to support the Afghan people.

Speeches and Discussions

A united and purposeful Security Council is needed now more than ever

Mary Robinson addresses the UN Security Council on its crucial role in preventing conflict, the need for nuclear non-proliferation, and the overhanging threat of climate change.

Elders Statements

The Elders condemn attempted coup in Guinea

The Elders condemn the attempted coup in Guinea and call on those behind it to immediately release President Alpha Condé.

Multilateralism is key to tackling both global conflicts and the climate crisis

The Elders call for responsible and ethical leadership amid concerns about conflict in Afghanistan and the climate emergency.

The Elders call for UN unity and leadership on Afghanistan after Taliban takeover

The Elders call on the UN to lead the international community’s efforts to encourage a peaceful transition and protection of human rights of all Afghans, following the military takeover of Kabul by the Taliban.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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