Secretary-General Statements

Secretary-General's remarks at the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage, Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award and Dag Hammerskjöld Medal Ceremony [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English]

26 May 2022 | New York, NY

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Moments ago, I laid a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial to pay homage to the more than 4,200 peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives while serving under the UN flag. Please join me in a moment of silence in their memory. Thank you. This year’s Dag Hammarskjöld medal ceremony honours the 117 women and men who lost their lives in 2021 serving as peacekeepers. Our fallen colleagues came from 42 different countries and diverse backgrounds.

Secretary-General's remarks/video message to the 2021 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial

7 Dec 2021 | New York/Seoul

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for your commitment to peace – and particularly the host of today’s meeting, the Republic of Korea. The past seven years have seen a notable increase in support to strengthen United Nations peacekeeping. We were able to deploy new military and police capabilities more quickly, and to include more women peacekeepers, police and civilians in our operations. However, we now face the highest number of violent conflicts since 1945.

Secretary-General's message for the International Day of UN Peacekeepers

29 May 2021 | UN Headquarters

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers honors the more than one million women and men who have served on the frontlines of conflict and the more than 4,000 who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Secretary-General's remarks at the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Ceremony and the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award [as prepared for delivery]

27 May 2021 | UN Headquarters

Dag Hammarskjöld medal Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let us begin today’s ceremonies with a minute of silence in memory of all the peacekeepers that have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag. [PAUSE FOR SILENCE] Thank you. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers inspires great pride and inspiration. On this day, the peacekeeping community, both at the headquarters and around the world, gathers to honour our heroes.

UN Secretary-General's Message on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

27 May 2021 | UN Headquarters

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Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Sudan

26 May 2021 | UN Headquarters

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General welcomes the start of peace talks today between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North Abdelaziz al Hilu faction mediated by South Sudan in Juba. The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) is represented at the talks by Special Representative Volker Perthes. The Secretary-General reiterates the importance of the representation and participation of women at all levels of the peace process.

Secretary-General to Commemorate Fallen Peacekeepers, Honour Kenyan Officer as Gender Advocate, at Headquarters Observance of International Day

25 May 2021 | UN Headquarters

New York Headquarters will observe the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Thursday, 27 May. Secretary-General António Guterres will lay a wreath to honour the more than 4,000 United Nations peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948 and preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal will be awarded posthumously to 129 military, police and civilian peacekeepers from 44 countries, who lost their lives serving under the United Nations flag in 2020 and in the first month of 2021.

Secretary-General’s Remarks to the General Assembly Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East and Palestine [as delivered]

20 May 2021 | UN Headquarters

[Watch the video on webtv.un.org] The past ten days have witnessed a dangerous and horrific surge in deadly violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly Gaza, and in Israel.

Secretary-General's remarks to UN Security Council Open Debate on Peace and Security in Africa: "Addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa"

19 May 2021 | UN Headquarters

Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Council on the important subject of addressing the root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have warned of the risks it poses to people and societies around the world, especially in countries affected by conflict. The series of Policy Briefs I issued last year included one that focuses only on the impact of COVID-19 on Africa. This was the backdrop to my appeal for a global ceasefire to enable us to focus on our common enemy: the virus.

Secretary-General's video message to the International Conference to Support the Sudanese Transition

17 May 2021 | UN Headquarters

[Watch the video on webtv.un.org] I thank France for hosting today’s Conference. We have a responsibility to help Sudan consolidate its democratic transition. Rebuild its economy. And deliver sustainable peace and development for all its diverse society. I commend the Government of Sudan for undertaking difficult economic reforms.

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Secretary-General Statements