António Guterres

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is horrific.

I renew my earlier appeals for a humanitarian ceasefire.

International humanitarian law must be respected.

All those with influence must exert it to ensure respect for the rules of war, end the suffering and avoid a spillover of the conflict that could engulf the whole region.

From Sudan to Ukraine, from the Middle East to Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond, conflict, climate chaos and upheaval are forcing record numbers of people from their homes and fueling profound human suffering.

The latest figures show that a total of more than 120 million people around the world are forcibly displaced, including 43.5 million refugees.

#WorldRefugeeDay is about honouring their strength and courage – and stepping up efforts to protect and support refugees. They need global solidarity and the ability to rebuild their lives in dignity.

Let's reaffirm the world’s collective responsibility in assisting and welcoming refugees, in upholding their human rights - including the right to seek - and ultimately, in resolving conflicts so that those forced from their communities can return home.

In 1994, one million children, women and men were killed in the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Families turned against families, friends became foes, and a dark spirit of intentional and brutal violence engulfed a nation.

We will never forget the victims of this genocide.

Nor will we ever forget the bravery and resilience of those who survived, whose courage and willingness to forgive remain a burst of light and hope amidst this dark chapter in human history.

Friday marks five years since the passing of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

I was honoured to call Kofi Annan a mentor and proud to call him a friend.

His legacy as a global champion for peace remains an inspiration in our lives and our work.

The fossil fuel industry is at the heart of the climate crisis.

The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions. It’s fossil fuels—period.

Countries must progressively phase them out, moving to leave oil, coal and gas in the ground—and massively boost renewable investments.

Fossil fuel industry transition plans must be transformation plans, that chart a company’s move to clean energy – and away from a product incompatible with human survival.

Otherwise, they are just proposals to become more efficient planet-wreckers.

Of course, transformations don’t happen overnight. Transition plans are precisely to provide a roadmap for a managed, orderly process that guarantees affordability, access and energy security.

Now must be the time for ambition and action.

The world is watching – and the planet can’t wait.

The work of UNRWA is one of the greatest factors providing hope and stability across a troubled region.

Without the necessary support and financing for UNRWA, Palestine Refugees will lose a critical lifeline and the last ray of hope for a better future.

My appeal to the international community: Protect UNRWA, its mandate and its funding.

More than 780 million people are going hungry while nearly one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted.

More than three billion people cannot afford healthy diets.
Two billion are overweight or obese.

Global food systems are broken — and billions of people are paying the price.
But broken food systems are not inevitable, they are the result of the choices we have made.

Transforming our food systems requires all hands on deck.

At this week’s United Nations Food Systems Summit, I urged participants to accelerate action for a more sustainable, productive and inclusive global food system.

Let’s ensure that every person, in every country, has access to the safe and nutritious food they need and deserve.

This week, the world broke the daily temperature record.

This is yet another demonstration that climate change is out of control and one reason more for increased #ClimateAction ambition and justice.

Emissions continue to grow while leaders persist in delaying the key measures needed to change this.

This is the moment when we all need to assume our responsibilities.

#climatechange

Almost half of humanity lives in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than on education or health.

Because most of these unsustainable debts are concentrated in poor countries, they are not judged to pose a systemic risk to the global financial system.

This is a mirage.

Markets may not be suffering – yet. But people are.

Our report on this unfolding crisis, with a roadmap to global financial stability.

The world is failing developing countries:

From rising poverty to soaring debt.

From climate disasters to outdated global systems.

Today I urged the G77 & China to use their power to champion a system that delivers for all humanity.

📷: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Recent escalations in the Middle East make it even more important to find lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.

The ultimate goal remains a two-state solution – Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, on the basis of United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.

The international community has a responsibility and a moral obligation to help make this happen.

Today I met again with families of people kidnapped and held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as a former hostage.

I was deeply moved by their harrowing testimonies. I share their pain and grief.

I reiterate my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Now.

📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten

Progress in women’s rights won over decades is vanishing before our eyes.

On the current track, gender equality is 300 years away, according to UN Women.

Promoting women’s full contributions to society is not an act of charity or a favour to women. It is a must and it benefits everyone.

Let us push back against the push back on women's rights, against misogyny and forward for women, girls, and our world.

Now is the time for #ClimateAction and climate justice.

This is the critical decade, as the window is rapidly closing to avoid the worst impacts of the climate emergency.

We have never been better equipped to solve the crisis. We know exactly what is needed, and we have the tools.

But the climate challenge can only be overcome through cooperation – between peoples, cultures, nations, generations.

Let's work together to get the job done.

As we mark #PeaceDay, people and our planet are in crisis.

But peace is not only a noble vision for humanity.

Peace is a call to action.

Let us commit to build, drive and sustain peace for all.

The “Knotted Gun“ sculpture is a universal symbol of non-violence on display at United Nations Headquarters in NYC.

It is a reminder that we all need to overcome divisions and to provide hope in place of turmoil.

Peace is needed now more than ever.

My message to students at Sciences Po and around the world.

When deciding on your career, resist the siren calls of companies that are destroying our planet, stealing our privacy, and trading in lies and hatred.

#ClimateAction is dwarfed by the scale of the climate challenge.

At #UNGA, we heard about concrete steps cities, countries, regions & companies are taking to speed up a just transition to a green global economy.

There is still a long way to go.

Our work must continue to inspire hope, build momentum & challenge those who are not here to step up.

We need more ambition, we need more action.

And we need it now.

📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten; Loey Felipe