I thank the Government of India for convening today’s open debate on technology and peacekeeping.
Over recent decades, conflicts have become more intractable and protracted. Actors have multiplied and diversified, the tools of warfare are increasingly sophisticated, and the growing internationaliza…
The world is following events in Afghanistan with a heavy heart and deep disquiet about what lies ahead. All of us have seen the images in real time — chaos, unrest, uncertainty and fear. Much lies in the balance: the progress, the hope, the dreams of a generation of young Afghan women and girls, bo…
I welcome this opportunity to brief the Security Council about the humanitarian situation in Syria. My latest report (S/2021/583) is now before the Security Council, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will brief members in detail. I will focus my remarks on the decisions soo…
This is a solemn moment. I find myself experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. I am deeply honoured and grateful for the trust placed in me to serve as the Secretary-General of the United Nations for a second term. Serving the United Nations is an immense privilege and a most noble duty. …
I, António Guterres, solemnly swear to exercise in all loyalty, discretion and conscience the functions entrusted to me as Secretary- General of the United Nations, to discharge these functions and regulate my conduct with the interests of the United Nations only in view and, in accordance with the …
It is a pleasure to be here with one and all to witness the election of the President of the General Assembly at its seventy-sixth session. First and foremost, I offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives on his election and I look forward to working with him.
I also tak…
The past 10 days have witnessed a dangerous and horrific surge in deadly violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza, as well as in Israel. I am deeply shocked by the continuing air and artillery bombardment of Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces. As of 19 May, it has claimed the…
I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of President Idriss Déby Itno on 19 April. I knew him very well. On behalf of the United Nations, I wish to reiterate my deepest condolences to his family and to the Government and the people of Chad.
President Déby worked tirelessly to ensure the …
We are gathered today to honour the memory of His Excellency Mr. John Magufuli, the late President of the United Republic of Tanzania. As we convey our condolences to the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, we also recognize the service of President Magufuli. He sought to e…
Today we honour the memory of the millions of people of African descent who suffered immeasurably under the evils of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. We remember the humility and resilience of those who endured, and we acknowledge the immense contribution that slaves and their descendants …
I am pleased to join you for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, commemorating the day in 1960 when police in South Africa killed 69 people who were part of a peaceful demonstration against racist apartheid laws.
Today apartheid lies dead, but sadly racism lives on i…
The year 2020 was a global annus horribilis — a year of death, disaster and despair. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic unleashed havoc in every country and every economy. We lost 2 million lives, including many dear members of our United Nations family.
The human toll continues to multipl…
This year we marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations with tributes to the Organization’s achievements and calls to strengthen multilateralism to meet long-standing and new challenges. But our observance of this milestone would not be complete without a recognition of the losses of…
I would like to express my profound condolences to the family of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah and to the Government and the people of Kuwait.
His Highness was a distinguished statesman, an outstanding humanitarian, a bridge-builder and a messenger of peace. We mourn his loss…
In a world turned upside down, the General Assembly Hall is among the strangest sights of all. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has changed our annual meeting beyond recognition, but it has made it more important than ever.
In January, I addressed the General Assembly (see A/74/PV.54) an…
The ideals of the
United Nations — peace, justice, equality and dignity — are beacons to a better world.
But the Organization we celebrate today emerged only after immense suffering. It took two world wars, millions of deaths and the horrors of the Holocaust for world leaders to commit to intern…
It is a pleasure to be with representatives again for the General Assembly. Let me begin by warmly congratulating Ambassador Volkan Bozkir of Turkey on his election as the President of the General Assembly. Mr. President, you can fully count on our support and committed partnership in this common wo…
I am pleased to join everyone in this Hall for the closing of the seventy- fourth session of the General Assembly, which has been like no other in the past seventy-five years. The past seven months have been extremely difficult for the people we serve and for many of us, both personally and professi…
If I may be permitted, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo will brief the Security Council on behalf of the Secretariat.
(spoke in English)
However, I would like to say a few words to express my deep concern about what I believe is the changing nature of the conflict in Idlib. The Council is well aware of the de…
On this International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, I am pleased to join the members of the Security Council to present the United Nations guidance for mediators, aimed at better protecting children in armed conflict. Simply put, children should never be involved in conflict. And yet, as Gr…
