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Nuclear proliferation needs a multilateral response just as much as the coronavirus pandemic
27 Jun 2020
Warning that a nuclear conflict remains a clear and present danger today, Ban Ki-moon calls on nuclear powers to reduce their arsenals and invest in a robust global arms control architecture. Published in the South China Morning Post.
Ethical Leadership
Opinion
Multilateralism offers hope for a sea-change after COVID-19
26 Jun 2020
Writing in The Hill on the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, Mary Robinson warns that COVID-19 will not be overcome unless states work together.

The Elders urge a revival of multilateralism on UN’s anniversary to reshape the world after COVID-19
26 Jun 2020
The Elders today called on world leaders to recommit to the values of the UN Charter and strengthen the effectiveness of the multilateral system as the best way of overcoming existential threats like pandemics, climate change and nuclear proliferation.
Ethical Leadership
 Statement

Hope for a sea-change: Why multilateralism must reshape the world after COVID-19
26 Jun 2020
Marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, The Elders call for determined and principled leadership that recognises that global challenges require global solutions
Ethical Leadership
 News

Multilateralism is not an option, it is the only path
11 Jun 2020
Mary Robinson outlines The Elders' defence of multilateralism at a virtual event to mark the 75th anniversary of the UN Charter.
Ethical Leadership
 Speech
A global response to beat the virus is in all countries' interests. No one is safe until everyone is safe. 
18 May 2020
A global response to beat the virus is in all countries' interests. No one is safe until everyone is safe. 
 Opinion

Climate leadership: it always seems impossible until it’s done
24 Jan 2020
Mary Robinson outlines the concept of climate justice and calls for urgent, multilateral climate leadership to protect current and future generations.
Climate Change
 Speech

The spirit of multilateral endeavour is sorely needed in today's troubled and turbulent times
26 Nov 2019
Addressing the Nuclear Disarmament Conference in The Hague, Mary Robinson outlines the steps countries must take to minimise the existential threat to humanity posed by nuclear weapons. 
Ethical Leadership
 Speech

Multilateral solutions are vital to tackling the global challenges we face
09 Jan 2020
As the United Nations marks the start of its 75th year, Mary Robinson addresses the Security Council on multilateralism, nuclear arms control and gender equality. 
Ethical Leadership
 Speech

Attacks on multilateral system threaten global peace and security
03 Dec 2019
The Elders' statement on the unprecedented attack on multilateralism
Ethical Leadership
 Statement

The lack of concern and absence of political will risks nuclear catastrophe
26 Sep 2019
Mary Robinson highlights failures around non-proliferation consensus building which has allowed for the termination of several nuclear agreements
Ethical Leadership
 Speech

A moment to demand real ambition from leaders to achieve the SDGs
16 Jul 2019
Mary Robinson addressed the opening of the ministerial segment of the High Level Political Forum at the UN in New York
Access to Justice, Climate Change, Ethical Leadership
 Speech

The indispensable need for international cooperation in combating climate change
09 Jul 2019
One of the main topics of discussion at the G20 summit, where 20 countries and territories gathered in Osaka, on the 28th and 29th of June, was that of the environment and energy. Ernesto Zedillo expressed his hopes for Japan's transition.
Climate Change
 News

The Elders discuss multilateralism and conflict prevention at the Council on Foreign Relations
11 Jun 2019
Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joined Council of Foreign Relations President Richard Haass in New York to discuss the vital role of a well-functioning multilateral system.
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 Videos

Securing a just transition to a low carbon economy
13 Jun 2019
Ernesto Zedillo spoke at the F20 Forum in Tokyo on the transition to a low carbon economy.
Climate Change
 Speech

Annual Review 2017: #WalkTogether To Spark Hope In The World
20 Jun 2018
2017 was a landmark year for the Elders. We celebrated our 10th anniversary in July and launched our Walk Together campaign to celebrate the freedoms Mandela dedicated his life to: Peace, Justice, Health and Equality. We also welcomed new members Ban Ki-m
Climate Change, Refugees & Migration, UHC, Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 Reports

The Elders urge member states to take action at UN to prevent mass atrocities
20 Apr 2018
The Elders have urged the governments of 31 countries to do more in the face of mass atrocities, by signing a UN Code of Conduct committing them not to obstruct credible Security Council resolutions designed to halt or prevent these acts.
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 Statement

Ban Ki-moon: A decisive UNSC is needed now more than ever
23 Feb 2018
Addressing the UN Security Council on 21 February, Ban Ki-moon called on members to swap rhetoric for action to ensure it delivers on its mandate to maintain international peace and security.
Ethical Leadership
 Speech
Mass atrocity prevention must be at the heart of the Security Council
26 Sep 2017
At a UNGA side-event on preventing and ending mass atrocities, Mary Robinson welcomed and urged the implementation of the two Code of Conduct initiatives spearheaded by the ACT group and the French/Mexican governments to end such crimes.
 News
Livestream: how can the UN Security Council end mass atrocities?
19 Sep 2017
On 22 September, Mary Robinson will join a panel discussion on the progress made and the remaining challenges to ensure a more effective UN Security Council action to prevent and end mass atrocities.
 News

Elders tackle global issues at UN Noon Briefing
09 May 2017
Following a meeting with the UN Secretary-General, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson addressed global challenges including multilateralism, climate change and conflict at the UN Noon Briefing on 9 May.
Conflict
 Videos

Sustaining global peace: Elders speak on the importance of multilateralism
04 May 2017
On 9 May, Kofi Annan, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson will speak about the importance of multilateralism at the IPI in New York. Watch the livestream here and follow on Twitter: #EldersIPI
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 News

Annual Review 2016: Solidarity Beyond Borders
09 May 2017
The Elders have published their latest Annual Review. From launching a campaign for Universal Health Coverage to promoting a coordinated international response to refugees and mass migration, read highlights of The Elders’ work from 2016.
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 Reports

A New Vision for Multilateral Cooperation
06 Apr 2017
In a speech to the 2017 Partnership Forum at the UN Economic and Social Council in New York on 5 April, Mary Robinson urged the international community to develop an entirely new paradigm of inclusive cooperation in order to overcome the world's greatest
Ethical Leadership
 Speech

Did the UN fail Syria?
04 Apr 2017
Writing in UNA-UK's magazine, Lakhdar Brahimi critiques the UN's diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict, reiterating the role of Member States in empowering the UN to succeed and the parties to the conflict being willing to compromise.
Conflict
 Opinion

Elders’ Visit to UNGA High-Level Week, New York, 17-22 September 2016
31 Oct 2016
Four Elders visited New York in September 2016 to attend events in and around the UN General Assembly, including on refugees and migration, Universal Health Coverage and UN reform.
Conflict
 News

Prisoners of hope in a challenging world: reflections from our new CEO
31 Oct 2016
David Nussbaum offers his reflections following his first board meeting as CEO, recalling the Elders undimmed sense of determination as "prisoners of hope" and paying tribute to Ela Bhatt as she steps down from frontline duties.
Ethical Leadership
 News

The Elders welcome nomination of António Guterres as next UN Secretary-General
06 Oct 2016
The Elders' statement welcoming the nomination of António Guterres, former Prime Minister of Portugal and UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as the next UN Secretary-General.
Ethical Leadership
 Statement

On the UK's responsibility to show leadership at the United Nations
20 Jul 2016
Speaking at the International Relations Committee of the House of Lords in London, 20 July, our CEO Andrew Whitley reflects on the need for reform at the United Nations and UK's role in leading this change.
Conflict
 News

Wanted: A strong UN leader and peace-maker
13 Jul 2016
Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson call on the successful candidate for UN Secretary-General to serve one seven year term, to ensure their strength and independence. Writing in an opinion piece published around the world, they also urge P5 members to recog
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 Opinion

Observing change at the United Nations
30 Jun 2016
Change at the UN usually proceeds at a glacial pace, but our Programme Officer Tom Brookes observes that over the past 18 months, the status quo appears to be slowly changing.
Conflict
 News

Ahead of World Humanitarian Summit, The Elders urge UN action to stop mass atrocities
20 May 2016
The Elders welcome the first World Humanitarian Summit taking place in Istanbul next week as a moment to galvanise responses to human catastrophes, notably in the host country’s immediate region.
Ethical Leadership
 Statement

"When the Security Council fails, the United Nations fails"
23 May 2016
To mark the first World Humanitarian Summit, five Elders are joined by Amnesty International and the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect to call for veto restraint and increased cooperation amongst the Permanent Members of
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 Videos
Annual Report 2015: Reflecting the past, facing the future
07 Apr 2016
The Elders have released their latest Annual Report. From Climate Change and the SDGs to Equality for Girls and Women and strengthening the UN, read highlights of The Elders’ work from 2015.
 Reports
Working for a stronger UN. Still much to do.
12 Feb 2016
One year on from the launch of our ‘UN Fit for Purpose’ initiative at the Munich Security Conference, The Elders and our partners continue to press for change. This photo-story highlights progress to date and looks ahead to the work remaining in this
 Photos

Still fit for purpose? Elders’ UN proposals take centre stage at Sciences Po
28 Jan 2016
Martti Ahtisaari and Lakhdar Brahimi discussed The Elders’ proposals for strengthening the UN at the Sciences Po event which included contributions from several possible candidates for the next Secretary-General and touched on issues from terrorism to t
Ethical Leadership
 News

Martti Ahtisaari calls for UN reform at Sciences Po event in Paris
18 Jan 2016
Almost one year on from launching our initiative to strengthen the United Nations, Martti Ahtisaari delivers a keynote address at the Sciences Po Youth & Leaders Summit in Paris calling for leadership by governments and the next Secretary-General in m
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 News

What will be on the agenda for the next Secretary-General of the United Nations
15 Jan 2016
Livestreamed from Sciences Po’s Youth & Leaders Summit 2016 in Paris on Monday 18 January, Martti Ahtisaari and Lakhdar Brahimi speak on The Elders’ call for UN reform the serious challenges facing the next Secretary-General.
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 News

A stronger UN means empowered human rights defenders
09 Dec 2015
To mark Human Rights Day on 10 December, Hina Jilani argues that a stronger UN would deliver more universally implemented human rights. And this year, both are needed more than ever.
Ethical Leadership
 Opinion
How can the next Secretary-General secure the UN's future?
22 Oct 2015
The Elders mark the UN's 70th anniversary by pressing for a more transparent Secretary-General selection process.
 News

The UN at 70: Has our global experiment worked?
14 Oct 2015
On 9 October, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Hina Jilani marked the seventieth anniversary of the UN, with its High Commissioner for Human Rights at an event hosted by the United Nations Association - UK in London’s historic Guildhall.
Ethical Leadership
 News

Building momentum on global issues in New York
02 Oct 2015
Last week, world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly. Four Elders travelled to the city to participate in the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals and host bilateral events on strengthening the UN.
Conflict
 Photos
The Elders and Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect call upon the UN Security Council to act to prevent mass atrocity crimes
26 Sep 2015
Gro Harlem Brundtland and Hina Jilani joined others in calling for members of the UN Security Council to work collaboratively to enforce international law.
 Statement
A stronger UN: The Elders hold high-level talks in Liechtenstein
07 Sep 2015
As the UN celebrates its 70th year, three Elders travelled to Liechtenstein to participate in high-level discussions on strengthening the organisation with a distinguished and diverse group of experts.
 Statement
Confronting the challenge of climate change is a problem for us all
21 Jul 2015
Speaking at the Sommet des Consciences pour le Climat in Paris, 21 July, Kofi Annan reflects on what kind of world he will be leaving his grandchildren and suggests that change is not only in the hands governments, but also businesses and individuals.
 Speech
What would a transparent and democratic selection process for the Secretary-General look like?
01 Jul 2015
 News
A Secretary-General to represent all the world's peoples
30 Jun 2015
Speaking at a debate at UN headquarters in New York, Mary Robinson outlined three proposals to strengthen the role of Secretary-General
 Speech
70 years on, a stronger UN is more vital than ever
29 Jun 2015
 News

Ukraine, Syria and UN reform
08 May 2015
While in Moscow last month on an Elders' visit, Kofi Annan shared with Kommersant’s Elena Chernenko his impressions of the meeting with President Putin, The Elders’ advice on achieving a settlement in Ukraine and the consequences of failing to reform
Conflict
 News

Kofi Annan: "We cannot be prosperous at the expense of the other"
30 Apr 2015
In an interview with RT's Worlds Apart, Kofi Annan discusses peace-building and accountability, from UN Security Council reform to Syria and Ukraine.
Conflict
 Videos
UN Reform: selecting the next Secretary-General
27 Apr 2015
How should our next UN Secretary-General be chosen? On 24 April, The Elders and the International Peace Institute teamed up to debate how we can make the Secretary-General process fair and transparent.
 News
Livesteam: Four ideas to save the peace
06 Feb 2015
The Elders’ announcement on the United Nations Four Elders will be at the 2015 Munich Security Conference to speak about strengthening the UN.
 Videos
The Elders call for strengthening of the United Nations
07 Feb 2015
Fit for purpose in the 21st century The Elders announce four proposals to build a better and fairer UN system, 70 years after the organisation was founded.
 Statement
Four ideas to save the peace
07 Feb 2015
 Opinion

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