The world must not ignore the latest Ebola outbreak

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reflects on leading during an Ebola outbreak and the risks of the latest crisis.

Elders Statements

When leaders flout the international rule of law, the poor pay the highest price

The Elders condemn escalating attacks on the rule of law and call on leaders to restore it urgently

The choice of the next Secretary-General could decide the UN’s fate

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein unpacks what’s at stake in the UN’s search for its next Secretary-General.

Annual Review 2025: Learning from history, leading for the future

The Elders' 2025 Annual Review is now available to download. It highlights our activities from the past year, including meetings with world leaders and visits to twelve countries.

Speeches and Discussions

The UN Security Council needs to change, before it is too late

Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos lays out a vision for urgent UN Security Council reform

Climate and the rule of law: why states must step up now

Hina Jilani explains what a proposed UN-backed legal opinion on climate change, led by Vanuatu, might mean for climate justice, the rule of law and human rights.

Governments must act now to manage AI for the public good

Elders and specialists call on governments worldwide to manage Artificial Intelligence with an urgency that reflects both scientific evidence and public concern

Elders Statements

War in Iran: Elders call for consistency in defence of the international rule of law

The Elders urge leaders to uphold the international rule of law consistently and to resist being drawn into unlawful conflicts

Elders Statements

The Elders urge progress on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to secure a fair pandemic deal

The Elders urge governments to deliver an equitable and operational PABS Annex

International law cannot be “à la carte”

Chair of The Elders appeals for de-escalation in Iran conflict

Juan Manuel Santos

Elders' Chair Responds to US, Israel strikes on Iran

We must reject a world governed by raw power

Helen Clark reflects on Davos, President Trump’s Board of Peace, and the urgency of pushing back against “might is right,” as The Elders head to Munich Security Conference this week

Elders Statements

The Elders urge USA, Russia to halt nuclear arms race as New START expires

The Elders urge Presidents Trump and Putin to secure a new deal that keeps a cap on US and Russian nuclear arsenals.

Speeches and Discussions

We are only protected by law if we abide by it

Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos delivered a video address at the UN Association’s event marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly.

The expiration of New START threatens our collective security

Juan Manuel Santos

In our latest newsletter, Juan Manuel Santos urges the US and Russia to extend New START before it expires – our collective security depends on it.

Elders Statements

Elders warn against a return to a ‘might-is-right’ world

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders call for the rule of law to be defended following the US’ illegal actions in Venezuela.

Speeches and Discussions

The UN is only as strong as its 193 Member States want it to be

Elder Emeritus Ban Ki-moon spoke on behalf of The Elders at the UN Security Council Open Debate on ‘Leadership for Peace: Future UN Leadership’, calling for reform of the Council and the role of the Secretary-General.

Elders Statements

Gaza “ceasefire” rings hollow as all Palestinians face security catastrophe

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders warn that suffering for Palestinians continues, despite the ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages

Human rights protect what it means to be human

For Human Rights Day, Hina Jilani reflects on the power of human rights in shaping our daily lives and on the responsibility we all share in upholding them

Speeches and Discussions

Lasting peace must be rooted in justice and human rights

Delivering a keynote speech at the CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation’s 25th anniversary, Mary Robinson underscores the enduring vitality of the principles that guided his work.

Invitation to tender: Graphic Design - Social media visual refresh

Help take The Elders' online visuals to the next level.

Elders Statements

Elders warn against bilateral pandemic deals that could impact multilateral cooperation

Juan Manuel Santos

Elders caution that proposed bilateral agreements will damage global cooperation

Elders Statements

The Elders urge an end to the deadly conflicts in Sudan and the DRC

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders are appalled at the ongoing human suffering in Sudan and the DRC.

Without women, there can be no lasting peace

Denis Mukwege urges decisive global action to end conflict-related sexual violence and ensure women’s full participation in building lasting peace

Speeches and Discussions

The architecture which underpins our collective health is under immense strain

Speaking at the G20 Health Ministerial in South Africa, Helen Clark urged leaders to strengthen multilateralism and invest in equitable health systems, warning that global health is at a crossroads

Elders Statements

World leaders must step up at COP30 to strengthen climate action and multilateralism

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders today call on world leaders attending COP30 in Belém to show courage and ambition in the face of a worsening climate and nature crisis

Speeches and Discussions

Reclaiming Our Common Future: The pursuit of shared purpose in an age of division

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland explores how the climate crisis connects to other global challenges and why global cooperation is essential

Elders Statements

The Elders call for Marwan Barghouti’s release to spur moves to two-state solution

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders call for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison as an important step towards reviving a lasting two-state solution.

Speeches and Discussions

The global health security situation today demands collective responsibility

Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos addresses the World Health Summit on the need for renewed multilateralism to protect global health

The UN must take the need for reform seriously

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein calls for honest reflection and bold reform to rebuild the United Nations’ legitimacy and strength for future generations

Elders Statements

US deal must stop Gaza genocide, end occupation and build a just two-state solution

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders urge all parties to act urgently and in good faith to achieve a lasting ceasefire, free hostages and detainees, and restore humanitarian aid.

Elders react to France, UK, Portugal, Australia & Canada recognising Palestine

Juan Manuel Santos Mary Robinson Helen Clark

Juan Manuel Santos, Mary Robinson and Helen Clark react to the recognition of Palestine by France, UK, Portugal, Australia & Canada.

Speeches and Discussions

The UN at 80: Commemoration without candour is unaffordable

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf addresses the High-Level Meeting marking the UN’s 80th anniversary

Speeches and Discussions

I have witnessed the tangible differences the UN makes

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland addresses the High-Level Meeting marking the UN’s 80th anniversary

UNGA 2025 - Global cooperation in a fragmented world: proposals for action

The Elders publish a policy paper on multilateralism, setting out a series of recommendations to make global institutions more effective and representative

What we saw in Rafah: aid blocked as famine declared in Gaza

Mary Robinson recounts her trip to Egypt to understand the situation unfolding on the ground and looks ahead to UNGA, urging decisive international action to end the crisis in Gaza.

Elders visit the Rafah border crossing

Mary Robinson Helen Clark

Mary Robinson and Helen Clark witnessed the shocking reality behind the unfolding famine in Gaza

Future of Africa podcast

Juan Manuel Santos Graça Machel Helen Clark

A weekly conversation where young changemakers meet global leadership to discuss Africa’s future

Elders call for decisive measures by states to halt unfolding genocide and famine in Gaza

Mary Robinson Helen Clark

A statement by Mary Robinson and Helen Clark following their visit to Egypt and the Rafah border crossing, 9-12 August 2025

Speeches and Discussions

The Biological Weapons Convention deserves real political and financial backing

Helen Clark addresses the 6th Session of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention

80 years since Hiroshima: three voices, one urgent message

Juan Manuel Santos

This newsletter marks 80 years since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, sharing three powerful perspectives on the urgent need to eliminate nuclear weapons

Speeches and Discussions

Palestinian self-determination is key to lasting peace

Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos advocates recognition of Palestine as a catalyst for regional peace, emphasising political dialogue, sovereignty and economic cooperation alongside Israel.

Speeches and Discussions

The two-state solution needs global affirmation

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein urges the international community to back a concrete two-state solution grounded in equality, ending occupation, and ensuring sovereignty and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Speeches and Discussions

Now is the time to recognise Palestinian statehood

Mary Robinson calls for urgent recognition of Palestine and accountability for violations of international law as essential steps toward peace.

Real leadership is rooted in moral courage, not ego

In our latest newsletter, Graça Machel calls for moral courage and principled leadership to confront today’s global crises

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.

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#UNGA80 | The UN’s recognition of Palestine is an important step but it cannot be the finish line. This is not the time to say “we’ve done our part”.

It’s the time to act. @HelenClarkNZ urges that recognition must be followed by real change on the ground. pic.twitter.com/KZnqPKCDnH
— The Elders (@TheElders) September 25, 2025

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A post shared by The Elders (@theelders_org)

ELDERS’ STATEMENT | The Elders urge USA, Russia to halt nuclear arms race as New START expires

Putin and Trump must act urgently to secure a new deal, reduce nuclear risks and protect humanity.

Read in full via link in replies ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EoVpvPq54E
— The Elders (@TheElders) February 3, 2026

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