Secretary-General’s messages

UNFSS Pre-Summit for the Food Systems Summit - Secretary-General Remarks (26 July 2021)

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Pre-Summit of the Food Systems Summit, which started in Rome.


The UN SG Message on the launch of Policy Brief on COVID-19 and the Universal Health Coverage

Nine months since we first heard of COVID-19, the pandemic has claimed more than one million lives and infected more than 30 million people in 190 countries. The pandemic has revealed utterly inadequate health systems, yawning gaps in social protection, and major structural inequalities within and between countries.


Secretary-General on International Day of Peace on 21 September 2020

The International Day of Peace is devoted to urging warring parties everywhere to lay down their weapons and work for harmony.


UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani briefing on Cambodia – 11 September 2020

Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls on the Government of Cambodia to immediately and unconditionally release those detained for exercising their rights, to bring an end to the intimidation of civil society actors, and calls on the security forces to stop resorting to unnecessary and excessive force and intimidation against those engaged in peaceful protests.


UN chief call to action for human rights

Addressing the Human Rights Council in February 2020, United Nations Secretary -General António Guterres launched a Call to Action for Human Rights. He said these rights are powerful tools for preventing conflict, reducing human suffering and building a just and equitable world.


UN Chief on the launch of the policy brief on Education and COVID-19

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the launch of the policy brief on Education and COVID-19.


UN Chief on the impact of COVID-19 on Southeast Asia

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the impact of COVID-19 on Southeast Asia.


COVID-19 in an Urban World - UN Chief

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the launch of the Policy Brief: “COVID-19 in an Urban World”.


Secretary-General António Guterres on the 75th anniversary of the UN Charter

"Today we face a global pandemic. Worldwide, people rightly raise their voices against racism. Confronting problems is a start. But we also have to solve them. We have a timeless guide to tackle our shared challenges & fix the world’s fragilities. That guide is the United Nations Charter." -- Secretary-General António Guterres on the 75th anniversary of the UN Charter.


UN chief on World Environment Day 2020

Nature is sending us a clear message. We are harming the natural world – to our own detriment. Habitat degradation and biodiversity loss are accelerating. Climate disruption is getting worse. Fires, floods, droughts and superstorms are more frequent and damaging. Oceans are heating and acidifying, destroying coral ecosystems. And now, a new coronavirus is raging, undermining health and livelihoods. To care for humanity, we MUST care for nature. We need our entire global community to change course. Let’s rethink what we buy and use.


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