Iran-US attack in Iraq: Guterres pledges ‘active engagement’ in further de-escalation efforts

In the wake of an Iranian ballistic missile attack on air bases which house US forces in Iraq, the UN Secretary-General said on Wednesday that he would “continue his active engagement” to de-escalate tensions and avert full-scale war. In a statement released by his Spokesperson, António Guterres re-iterated the “passionate appeal for peace” he made on Monday, after tensions rose dramatically across the whole Gulf region, following the killing of top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike.

Statement To The Press By Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

The New Year has begun with our world in turmoil.
We are living in dangerous times.

Geopolitical tensions are at their highest level this century.
And this turbulence is escalating.

Even nuclear non-proliferation can no longer be taken for granted.
This cauldron of tensions is leading more and more countries to take unpredicted decisions with unpredictable consequences and a profound risk of miscalculation.

At the same time, we see trade and technological conflicts that fracture world markets, undermine growth and widen inequalities.

And all the while, our planet is on fire. The climate crisis rages on.

In many parts of the world, we see many people frustrated and angry. We see increased social unrest and growing extremism, nationalism and radicalization, with a dangerous advance of terrorism, notably in Africa.

This situation cannot go on.

I have been following the recent rise in global tensions with great concern.
I am in constant contact with leading officials around the world.

My message is simple and clear:
Stop escalation.
Exercise maximum restraint.
Re-start dialogue.
Renew international cooperation.
Let us not forget the terrible human suffering caused by war.

As always, ordinary people pay the highest price. It is our common duty to avoid it.

Thank you.

New York, 6 January 2019

What is Important to you? What should be the priorities? Let the UN hear Your Voice!

This year is the UN’s 75th Anniversary and we have launched the biggest-ever global conversation. What is important to you? What should be the priorities?

Let the UN hear your voice. Add your voice here: https://un75.online/

We asked the UN Head of Disaster Risk Reduction for her view and she said “disaster risk reduction is about people it is about human rights and must be central to all discussions and actions”. Listen below:

For more information on the UN global conversation for all click here

This Year, My New Year’s Message is to the Greatest Source of Hope – The World’s Young People

From here at the United Nations, I join you in welcoming the New Year. We enter 2020 with uncertainty and insecurity all around.

Persistent inequality and rising hatred.
A warring world and a warming planet.

Climate change is not only a long-term problem but a clear and present danger.
We cannot afford to be the generation that fiddled while the planet burned.

But there is also hope.

This year, my New Year’s message is to the greatest source of that hope: the world’s young people.
Continue reading →

The 2010 – 2020 UN News Decade in Review, part three

The final part looks at the launch of the 2030 Agenda, the UN’s blueprint for a better future for all; the humanitarian response to the Rohingya refugee crisis; the successful end to the mandate of the UN Liberia Mission; and fresh momentum in the fight against the climate crisis, despite disappointment over COP25. More

The 2010-2020 UN News Decade in Review, part three

The final part of our look back over the past decade takes in the launch of the 2030 Agenda, the UN’s blueprint for a better future for all; the humanitarian response to the Rohingya refugee crisis; the successful end to the mandate of the UN Liberia Mission; and fresh momentum in the fight against the climate crisis, despite disappointment over the COP25 climate conference in Madrid. More

 

The 2010-2020 UN News Decade in Review, part two

With the 2020s now in full view, welcome to the second in our three-part series looking back at some of the major UN-related stories of the past decade.

In part two, we take in the years 2014 to 2016, which saw the worst outbreak of Ebola ever recorded; new hope that the climate crisis could be tackled by world leaders, through the historic Paris climate agreement; and the launch of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, a plan of action for people, the planet and prosperity. More