21 March marks the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and honours the legacy of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, when South African police opened fire on a peaceful protest against apartheid, killing 69 people. A toxic legacy Despite decades of progress, racism...
“Any ceasefire is welcome because it saves lives, but it is essential that a ceasefire paves the way for a just peace in Ukraine,” the UN Secretary-General said in Brussels, where he also addressed the massive Israeli escalation in Gaza and urged the world not to give up on slowing...
Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters, in New York, Mr. Guterres emphasised that the reforms are not just about internal processes but aimed at delivering tangible improvements in peace, development and humanitarian aid – all while ensuring that public funds are used wisely and transparently. “These efforts are not ends...
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the regular daily briefing in New York that the leaders of both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities would join UN chief António Guterres along with guarantors Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, at the UN in Geneva. The Mediterranean island was...
Speaking at the emergency summit of Arab nations on the situation in the Middle East and Gaza reconstruction in Cairo, António Guterres welcomed Arab-led efforts to mobilize support for Gaza’s recovery. He stressed that rebuilding the war-ravaged territory must be guided by principles that respect international law and prevent further...
“These cuts impact a wide range of critical programmes,” he told reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York, highlighting the potential disruption to lifesaving humanitarian work, development projects, counterterrorism efforts and initiatives to combat drug trafficking. He expressed the UN’s gratitude “for the leading role” the US has played...
“The past six weeks have provided a fragile but vital reprieve, offering a measure of relief to both Palestinians and Israelis,” said the UN chief in a statement issued by his Spokesperson. During the period of the truce, thousands of trucks carrying life-saving assistance entered Gaza, reaching nearly every person...
“The nuclear option is not an option at all,” he said, addressing the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. “It is a one-way road to annihilation. We need to avoid this dead-end at all costs.” Arms race spreading to space Mr. Guterres warned delegates of heightened global security concerns, noting...
“On this tragic occasion, I reaffirm the urgent need for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace – one that fully upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, and resolutions of the General Assembly,” António Guterres said in a...
The ministerial-level meeting was convened by China, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, as the UN prepares to mark its 80th anniversary later this year. UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the debate emphasizing that “global solidarity and solutions are needed more than ever” as the climate crisis rages...
“The partnership between the United Nations and the African Union has never been stronger,” said the UN chief, striking a positive tone from the outset. “Together, we see an Africa brimming with hope and possibility.” The Secretary-General noted the “booming, enterprising” young population of the continent and the wealth of...
Speaking at a high-level humanitarian conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, António Guterres described the situation in Sudan as a catastrophe of “staggering scale and brutality”. He warned that it is increasing spilling into the wider region. “It is a crisis that demands sustained and urgent attention,” he said,...