“I will never give up fighting for peace.”
UN Secretary-General emphasizes the urgent need for peace around the world.
As conflicts rage and geopolitical divisions grow, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres laid out his key priorities for 2024 to the UN General Assembly this week, emphasizing the urgent need to create the conditions for peace around the world.
The following is an excerpt of his remarks.
Our organization was founded on the pursuit of peace. Peace is our raison d’être.
Yet as I scan the landscape of today’s world, the one thing missing most dramatically is peace.
People want peace and security. People want peace and dignity. And, frankly, they want peace and quiet.
For millions of people caught up in conflict around the world, life is a deadly, daily, hungry hell. Record numbers are fleeing their homes in search of safety.
They are crying out for peace. We must hear them, and act.
Peace is more than a noble vision. Peace is a rallying cry. It is a call to action.
Our obligation is to act together for peace in all its dimensions.
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. And that responsibility belongs to us all — individually and collectively.
In this difficult and divided moment, let’s meet that obligation for today and future generations.
Starting here. Starting now.
For my part, I can guarantee that I will never give up fighting for peace.
The full text of the Secretary-General’s statement can be found here.
