European Union should adopt a strong common position

The Elders announce their support for a UN resolution endorsing Palestinian statehood. The group has written to EU Foreign Ministers urging them to support the Palestinian appeal.

The Elders warmly welcome the resumption of official dialogue between North and South Korea and call on all parties to seize this opportunity to build confidence and sustain dialogue on all outstanding issues.

Desmond Tutu: Middle East peace process must be restarted along new, fairer lines

The Elders express concern about the United States' decision to veto a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlement building in the occupied Palestinian Territories, and fear that this failure to take a principled stance will prove detrimental to the peace process.

Demands for freedom and respect for basic rights are no less urgent in West Bank and Gaza

The Elders urge Washington to support a draft resolution – co-sponsored by more than 140 UN Member States – that calls for an end to Israeli settlement activity, which is both illegal under international law and a major obstacle to achieving a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

One month after the people of South Sudan voted for secession in an historic referendum, The Elders praise Sudanese leaders for the smooth and orderly conduct of the vote while emphasising that North and South Sudan must work together in the coming months to resolve outstanding issues and address significant development, governance and human rights challenges.

After meeting the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities during The Elders' fourth visit to the divided island, Desmond Tutu and Gro Brundtland emphasise that greater goodwill, trust and compromise are needed to achieve a lasting resolution of the conflict.

As 3.9 million people across South Sudan prepare to vote in a referendum on self-determination beginning this Sunday, The Elders have urged international and Sudanese officials to respect the rights of all voters - whatever the outcome.

Israeli-Palestinian negotiations must be grounded in international law and human rights – define borders and address security issues first

After years of peace negotiations that have failed to bring Israelis and Palestinians a lasting peace, The Elders call for a renewed effort towards a two-state solution – one which is firmly grounded in international law and human rights.

With one month to go until South Sudan votes on whether to secede from the North, The Elders call for a peaceful, timely and credible referendum and urge the international community to engage with all parties to prevent possible violence, both during referendum and in the coming months.

“Doing a short-term deal on settlements to restart direct talks is desperate and wrong” – Mary Robinson

The Elders remind Israel, the United States and the international community that settlement expansion is illegal under international law – any short-term moratorium on Israeli settlement activity is a step backwards for the peace process.