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Elders Statements

The Elders warn US, Israeli strikes on Iran have intensified global nuclear proliferation risks

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders warn that US and Israeli strikes on Iran risk normalising force over the rule of law, and urge all parties to avoid further unilateral or retaliatory military action

Ban Ki-moon becomes Elder Emeritus

The Elders announced today that Ban Ki-moon will step down from full-time duties and become an Elder Emeritus.

"To build peace, recognise State of Palestine", Elders' open letter urges Canada, France and UK leaders

Juan Manuel Santos

Elders' open letter call: Recognise State of Palestine to build peace

The UN saved my family, now we must find the courage to save it

In our latest newsletter, Ban Ki-moon says the UN needs bold reform to ensure it serves and protects humanity.

Elders Statements

The Elders call for collective action by governments to end Palestinian suffering in Gaza

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders call on political leaders to end their inaction in the face of atrocities committed against the Palestinian people.

Elders Statements

“No More Hiroshimas”: the Elders call for urgent nuclear dialogue as conflict risks rise

Juan Manuel Santos

Eighty years since the atomic bombing, The Elders call on leaders to take meaningful steps to minimise nuclear risks, revitalise dialogue on arms control and de-escalate nuclear modernisation.

The Elders visit Hiroshima to mark 80th anniversary of atomic bombing

Elders visited Hiroshima to remember victims and learn from survivors of atomic bombings.

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.

The Elders welcome US re-engagement on climate, WHO; call for renewed commitment on nuclear threat

The Elders today welcomed the decisions by newly-inaugurated US President Joe Biden to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change and cease the process of withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

No time to spare for the Paris climate promise

Five years on from the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Mary Robinson warns that having squandered past opportunities and shirked previous commitments, states now must start making up for lost time.

Lakhdar Brahimi: “A return to the world order before Donald Trump is neither possible nor desirable”

While the crisis of multilateralism has been accelerated by the Trump administration, it has its roots in the attitude of the United States, which has imposed its supremacy since the fall of the Berlin Wall, flouting international law.

2021 must be a year of enlightened and empathetic action

Mary Robinson calls for solidarity, inclusion and generosity of spirit, as we seek to overcome our common challenges in 2021.

The Elders and The Carter Center Joint Convening with Diaspora Palestinians

On November 19, 2020, The Carter Center and The Elders jointly hosted an online consultation with “Diaspora” Palestinian civil society leaders, analysts, and human rights workers based in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

2020: a year in review

2020 was a year like no other as COVID-19 wreaked havoc on people’s lives across the world. During this time, The Elders continued to deliver on Nelson Mandela’s mandate to “support courage where there is fear” and “inspire hope where there is despair”

Stories from the frontlines: Refugee-Led Organisations in the Shadow of COVID-19

Three refugee-led organisations share their reflections on a challenging year for people who have been forcibly displaced.

The Elders discuss the role forgiveness plays in justice and conflict resolution

The Elders took part in the launch of the Forgiveness Forum, hosted by the Templeton World Charity Foundation.

Building Back Better for Universal Health

The Elders have launched a new report calling on leaders to make the achievement of Universal Health Coverage a top priority in their government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Prepare, Prioritise, Promote”: The Elders’ three pillars for public health after COVID-19

The Elders today launched a new report, “Building Back Better for Universal Health”, setting out three key pillars to inform the leadership needed from governments and policymakers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at a national and global level.

Speeches and Discussions

The climate crisis is not a distant threat. It is already here.

Speaking ahead of the Climate Ambition Summit, Graça Machel calls for bold and urgent climate action.

Putting GBV survivors at the centre of data collection efforts

Nadine Tunasi from Survivors Speak Out highlights the importance of a survivor-centred approach to data collection within and beyond conflict zones

From Paris to 2030: a call for climate leadership

The Elders join leading experts on climate action and sustainability to mark the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement at a virtual event hosted together with Project Syndicate and the European Investment Bank.

Grassroots organisations are essential to empowering the communities they serve

Frontline justice defenders Nazdeek explain why work like theirs must be urgently and flexibly funded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Elders reflect on the responsibility of men to end gender-based violence

The Elders call for male leaders worldwide to champion gender equality and take urgent action to combat violence against women

Speeches and Discussions

Let us unite across generations to protect our planet

Mary Robinson challenges leaders to engage with young climate activists to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.

We must break the cycle of gender-based discrimination and inequality

As the 2020 comes to a close, it is important that leaders and citizens alike assert the values of solidarity and cooperation as the only way to overcome the pandemic and tackle future threats.

Speeches and Discussions

Access to justice for women must be a priority

Ban Ki-moon calls on leaders to increase access to justice for women, if governments are to deliver on their SDG promises.

Responding to the threat of gender-based violence in refugee settings

As The Elders mark the annual global campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, this photo essay provided by All We Can highlights some of the particular challenges faced by women in refugee camps.

Four areas of action to tackle the shadow pandemic of violence against women

The Elders’ Senior Policy Advisor on Access to Justice, Sabrina Mahtani, writes on concrete measures we need to take if we are serious about ending violence against women.

Gender-based violence and COVID-19: Why justice is essential to response and recovery plans

Stacey Cram from Namati outlines the intersection between access to justice, the pandemic and violence against women and girls.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Focusing on increasing access to justice, The Elders join the annual global campaign to end violence against women and girls.

Speeches and Discussions

COVID-19 is a crossroads to a sustainable future

Ban Ki-moon calls for leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors to create a healthy, resilient, and zero-emissions future

The Elders and The Carter Center in dialogue with Palestinian civil society and leaders

The Elders and The Carter Center jointly hosted a virtual consultation with “1948 Palestinian” civil society and thought leaders

The Elders hope for a sea-change in US engagement on global challenges

The Elders congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their election victory.

Acordo histórico de Escazú agora pode entrar em vigor

O The Elders dá as boas-vindas à notícia de que, com a décima primeira ratificação do Acordo de Escazú pelo México, o histórico acordo regional sobre o meio-ambiente agora pode entrar em vigor em toda a América Latina e Caribe.

El emblemático Acuerdo de Escazú ya puede entrar en vigor

The Elders recibe con agrado la noticia de que, con la décimo primera ratificación del Acuerdo de Escazú por parte de México, el emblemático acuerdo regional ya puede entrar en vigor en América Latina y el Caribe.

Landmark Escazú Agreement can now enter into force

The Elders welcome the news that with the eleventh ratification of the Escazú Agreement by Mexico, the landmark regional agreement can now enter into force across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Rebuilding Zimbabwe requires dialogue, solidarity, inclusivity, transparency and accountability

Mary Robinson shares a message of solidarity on the occasion of the third National Citizens Convention in Zimbabwe.

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Today marks 80 years since the UN Charter was signed, but celebration feels hollow. As key powers retreat from multilateralism, this is a moment for moral courage: to reform the UN & revive cooperation.

Ban Ki-moon & @HelenClarkNZ in @TheEconomist: https://t.co/qpvVS1W6Fw
— The Elders (@TheElders) June 26, 2025

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