The refusal to accept the two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, and the denial of the right to statehood for the Palestinian people, are unacceptable. This would indefinitely prolong a conflict that has become a major threat to global peace and security; exacerbate polarization; and embolden extremists everywhere. The right of the Palestinian people to build their own state must be recognized by all.
To be able to deliver effective humanitarian aid in Gaza: we need safety, we need equipment, we need more crossing points, we need access to the north. I call for rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded & sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza.
There is so much anger and hate and noise in our world today. Every day and at every turn, it seems – it’s war. Around the globe and across the range of issues, peace is the missing piece. Yet, people want peace and security. They want peace and dignity. Frankly, they want peace and quiet. The pursuit of peace is the most essential of all human endeavours. Peace is more than a noble vision. Peace is a rallying cry. It is a call to action. And I will never give up fighting for peace. 📷 : UN Photo/Mark Garten
The death, destruction, displacement, hunger, loss, and grief in Gaza over the past 120 days are a scar on our shared humanity and conscience. There is no justification for the intentional killing, injuring, torture or kidnapping of civilians, using sexual violence against them, or launching rockets towards civilian targets. But at the same time, nothing can justify the collective punishment of the people in Gaza. I am extremely concerned by the inhumane conditions faced by 2.2 million people, as they struggle to survive without any of the basics. I call for a rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded and sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza. I also want to add that the @unitednations immediately acted following the very serious allegations against several UNRWA staff members. I was personally horrified by these accusations. I met with donors to listen to their concerns and to outline the steps we are taking to address them. UNRWA is the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza. I appeal to all Member Countries to guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s life-saving work.
The humanitarian aid operation in Gaza is now on life support. It is barely functioning. Humanitarians are working under unimaginable conditions – including live fire, multiple physical obstacles and Israeli restrictions, as well as the breakdown of public order. Rafah is at the core of the entire humanitarian aid operation in Gaza. An all-out offensive on the city would be devastating for 1.5 million Palestinian civilians who are already on the edge of survival.
The situation in Gaza just keeps getting worse. Just 10 out of 61 planned convoys to the north reached their destination in January. Despite some limited steps, our humanitarian operations continue to face denials of access, delays, impediments, and multiple dangers – including live fire. Let’s be clear: Denial of humanitarian access means denial of humanitarian relief for civilians. Food and water for a desperate population. Medicine and fuel for hospitals. In the meantime, Rafah is under grave threat. Half of Gaza’s population is now crammed into Rafah with nowhere to go. Reports that the Israeli military intends to focus next on Rafah are alarming. Such an action would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences.
In Portugal we have a saying: “In a house with no bread, everyone argues, and no one is right.” Today, around the world, food crises and climate chaos are serious and mounting threats to peace and security. Every one of the fourteen countries most at risk from climate change are suffering conflict. Thirteen of them face humanitarian crisis this year. We must step in. Meeting with the Security Council today, I urged its members to help break the deadly links between conflict, climate and hunger. We have to act now for a liveable future, free from hunger, and free from the scourge of war. 📷: UN Photo/Loey Felipe
On International Day of Human Fraternity, we celebrate the spirit of mutual respect and solidarity that binds us together as one human family. Today, these values are being severely tested. Our world is marred by divisions, conflicts, and inequalities. Discrimination is running rampant. We must come together to protect and uphold human rights, combat hate speech and violent extremism, and push back against those who profit from fear. Together, let’s reaffirm our commitment to bridging divides, fostering religious understanding and cooperation among people of all cultures and beliefs.
Over recent decades, the two-state solution has been traduced, undermined and left for dead many times. However, it remains the only way to achieve durable and equitable peace in Israel, in Palestine, and in the region. This terrible time for Israelis and Palestinians must spur both parties, and the international community, to act with courage and determination to achieve a just and lasting peace.
As Secretary-General of the @unitednations I have had the honour of meeting survivors of the Holocaust on several occasions. On #HolocaustRemembrance Day, we mourn the six million Jewish children, women and men systematically murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators – and we grieve the Roma and Sinti, the people with disabilities, and so many others who were persecuted and killed in the Holocaust. We pledge never to forget – nor let others forget the truth of what happened.
In the face of colossal human suffering and enormous obstacles, the women & men of the @unitednations in Gaza are working heroically every day to reach people in need. They have been distributing food, delivering medicines, water, tents & blankets. But in quantities that are far from enough. Again, I renew my call for rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded & sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza. 📷: UNICEF; WFP
In the face of colossal human suffering and enormous obstacles, the women & men of the @unitednations in Gaza are working heroically every day to reach people in need. They have been distributing food, delivering medicines, water, tents & blankets. But in quantities that are far from enough. Again, I renew my call for rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded & sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza. 📷: UNICEF; WFP
In the face of colossal human suffering and enormous obstacles, the women & men of the @unitednations in Gaza are working heroically every day to reach people in need. They have been distributing food, delivering medicines, water, tents & blankets. But in quantities that are far from enough. Again, I renew my call for rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded & sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza. 📷: UNICEF; WFP
In the face of colossal human suffering and enormous obstacles, the women & men of the @unitednations in Gaza are working heroically every day to reach people in need. They have been distributing food, delivering medicines, water, tents & blankets. But in quantities that are far from enough. Again, I renew my call for rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded & sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza. 📷: UNICEF; WFP
Peace can achieve wonders that wars never will. Wars destroy. Peace builds. But in today’s troubled world, building peace is a conscious, bold and even radical act. It is humanity’s greatest responsibility that belongs to us all – individually and collectively. In this difficult and divided moment, let’s meet that obligation for today and future generations. Peace is at the heart of all we do, and I will never give up fighting for peace.
Today we gathered at our @unitednations Headquarters in New York to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. I was moved & humbled by the presence of survivors & their families. To all who confront prejudice and persecution, I say clearly: you are not alone. The United Nations stands with you. And to all those – past and present – who have had the courage to share their stories of the Holocaust, so the world can know the truth, I say: thank you. 📷: UN Photo/Manuel Elías, Eskinder Debebe
Today we gathered at our @unitednations Headquarters in New York to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. I was moved & humbled by the presence of survivors & their families. To all who confront prejudice and persecution, I say clearly: you are not alone. The United Nations stands with you. And to all those – past and present – who have had the courage to share their stories of the Holocaust, so the world can know the truth, I say: thank you. 📷: UN Photo/Manuel Elías, Eskinder Debebe
Today we gathered at our @unitednations Headquarters in New York to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. I was moved & humbled by the presence of survivors & their families. To all who confront prejudice and persecution, I say clearly: you are not alone. The United Nations stands with you. And to all those – past and present – who have had the courage to share their stories of the Holocaust, so the world can know the truth, I say: thank you. 📷: UN Photo/Manuel Elías, Eskinder Debebe
My best wishes to all celebrating the Lunar New Year. This Year of the Dragon symbolizes energy, wisdom, and protection – qualities we all need to rise to today’s challenges. I wish you good health, happiness & prosperity in this new year.
I was very moved to visit the Ohel-Jakob synagogue in Munich, a city linked to the emergence of the Nazi party. There is no room for antisemitism and all other forms of hatred in today’s world. 📷: UN Spokesperson’s Office/Stephanje Tremblay
Female genital mutilation is a horrific act of gender-based violence and an abhorrent human rights violation. This year, 4.4 million girls are at risk of suffering from this harmful practice. At least 200 million women and girls alive today have experienced it. Let’s redouble efforts and investments to uphold the rights of women and girls everywhere. Let’s #EndFGM once and for all.
Women and girls continue to face systemic barriers and biases that prevent them from pursuing careers in science. This deprives our world of great talent. Today, women make up only one-third of the global scientific community, obtaining less funding, fewer publishing opportunities and fewer senior positions at top universities than men. It is time to recognize that inclusion fosters innovation, and to support every woman and girl fulfil her potential. Women and girls belong in science.
It is my firm belief that fossil fuel phase out is not only necessary, it is inevitable. But we need governments to act, to accelerate the transition, with the biggest emitters leading the way. Our clean energy future is unstoppable. Together, let’s bring it into being faster. #WorldCleanEnergyDay
Disinformation can spread quickly, both online & offline. We all have a part to play in stopping it in its tracks. On #EducationDay, let’s pledge to build young people’s critical thinking skills so they can tell facts from fiction.
