/sg/en/content/ossg/latest-statements Latest Statements, Off-the-Cuff and Readouts from Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General of the United Nations en /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-05/secretary-generals-video-message-cop29-religious-leaders-summit Download the video: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+1+Nov+24/3298308_MSG+SG+COP29+RELIGIOUS+LEADERS+SUMMIT+01+NOV+24.mp4 Excellencies, dear friends, I want to thank you for coming together across faiths to help push for a successful outcome at COP29 in Baku. 04/11/2024 - 16:06 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-05/secretary-generals-video-message-cop29-religious-leaders-summit /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-05/secretary-generals-message-world-tsunami-awareness-day-scroll-down-for-french-version This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami – one of the deadliest disasters in recent history.  More than 230,000 people lost their lives.    On this World Tsunami Awareness Day, we honour the victims and recommit to protecting the 700 million people around the world who are at risk from tsunamis. The best way to do so is by all partners delivering on the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative that helps ensure every person on Earth is alerted when tsunamis and other disasters are on the way. 04/11/2024 - 15:17 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-05/secretary-generals-message-world-tsunami-awareness-day-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-04/secretary-generals-video-message-the-world-urban-forum-scroll-down-for-arabic-version Download the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergr... I am pleased to take part in the World Urban Forum. It is fitting that you are gathering in Cairo – an enormously vibrant megacity and a magnet for innovation and creativity for over a thousand years. I thank the Government of Egypt for hosting the 12th Forum. Dear Friends, 04/11/2024 - 09:57 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-04/secretary-generals-video-message-the-world-urban-forum-scroll-down-for-arabic-version /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-11-04/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-member-states-briefing-the-outcomes-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-panel-critical-energy-transition-minerals Excellencies,  Ladies and gentlemen, It is a pleasure to join you today.  The report from the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals was released in September in response to a critical global challenge. The Secretary-General has asked we not only give out information but debrief Member States on this important work. We are in the midst of a quiet revolution.   The way we power our economies and societies is changing.  04/11/2024 - 11:49 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-11-04/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-member-states-briefing-the-outcomes-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-panel-critical-energy-transition-minerals /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-03/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-ukraine The Secretary-General is very concerned about reports of troops from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea being sent to the Russian Federation, including their possible deployment to the conflict zone. This would represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine.  Everything must be done to avoid any internationalization of this conflict.  The Secretary-General reiterates his support for  all meaningful efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in line with the �山����Charter, international law and resolutions of the General Assembly. 03/11/2024 - 15:00 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-03/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-ukraine /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-03/secretary-generals-message-the-world-internet-of-things-convention I am pleased to send my greetings to the World Internet of Things Convention. Digital technology has transformed every aspect of our lives. 01/11/2024 - 15:04 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-03/secretary-generals-message-the-world-internet-of-things-convention /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-02/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-end-impunity-for-crimes-against-journalists-scroll-down-for-french-version On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we reaffirm our commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists worldwide. A free press is fundamental to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Yet journalists around the world are prevented from doing their job and often face threats, violence, and even death in their mission to bring truth to light and hold the powerful to account.  25/10/2024 - 12:44 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-02/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-end-impunity-for-crimes-against-journalists-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-01/secretary-generals-message-the-united-nations-international-media-seminar-peace-the-middle-east In the midst of so much pain and agony in the Middle East, I greet you with the most fitting sentiment: Peace, Salam, and Shalom. The 2024 United Nations International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East is being held under profoundly difficult circumstances.  Last month marked one year since the horrific acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas in Israel – and the start of the second year of the ongoing atrocious onslaught in Gaza that is spreading to Lebanon and beyond. 01/11/2024 - 13:56 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-01/secretary-generals-message-the-united-nations-international-media-seminar-peace-the-middle-east /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-01/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-sudan The Secretary-General strongly condemns the recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces in Aj Jazirah State amidst escalating violence across Sudan.    The Secretary-General is appalled by reports of large numbers of civilians being killed, detained and displaced, acts of sexual violence against women and girls, the looting of homes and markets and the burning of farms.  Such acts may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.  Perpetrators of such serious violations must be held accountable.    01/11/2024 - 12:28 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-11-01/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-sudan /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-10-31/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-the-democratic-people%E2%80%99s-republic-of-korea-%28dprk%29 The Secretary-General strongly condemns the launch today of a long-range ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The DPRK’s continued launches of missiles using ballistic missile technology are clear violations of relevant Security Council resolutions. The Secretary-General remains concerned about the situation on the Korean Peninsula. He has consistently called for de-escalation, the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, an environment that is conducive to dialogue, and the resumption of talks.  31/10/2024 - 11:00 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-10-31/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-the-democratic-people%E2%80%99s-republic-of-korea-%28dprk%29 /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-10-31/secretary-generals-message-world-cities-day-%E2%80%9Cyouth-climate-changemakers-catalyzing-local-action-for-urban-sustainability%E2%80%9D-scroll-down-for-french-version On this World Cities Day, we recognize the role of young people in driving climate action and shaping urban futures. With more than half of the world’s population and 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis. And they need the energy and vision of youth leading the charge for change. 25/10/2024 - 10:44 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-10-31/secretary-generals-message-world-cities-day-%E2%80%9Cyouth-climate-changemakers-catalyzing-local-action-for-urban-sustainability%E2%80%9D-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-10-30/secretary-generals-press-encounter-the-end-of-his-visit-colombia Ladies and gentlemen of the media. I thank President Petro for hosting the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali.  I congratulate Colombia on the excellent organization of this COP. I also thank the people of Colombia for their warm welcome, we all felt very much at home. The world has come to Cali to make peace with nature.  Let me be clear: we are facing an existential crisis. Temperatures are climbing higher and higher.  We are losing more and more species – forever.  We are poisoning our waters.  30/10/2024 - 13:10 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-10-30/secretary-generals-press-encounter-the-end-of-his-visit-colombia /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-10-30/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-qatar-foundation-%E2%80%9Ctowards-the-second-world-social-development-summit-2025-reinforcing-global-efforts-achieve Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here and to see so many of you present here today. Let me start by thanking the Qatar Foundation for organizing this important and timely event, and the Government of Qatar for generously agreeing to host the Second World Summit for Social Development in November 2025. This is a great opportunity to shape our common vision for the upcoming Summit and ensure its success, building on the recent Pact for the Future. 30/10/2024 - 15:28 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-10-30/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-qatar-foundation-%E2%80%9Ctowards-the-second-world-social-development-summit-2025-reinforcing-global-efforts-achieve /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-10-30/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-session-of-the-30th-anniversary-of-the-international-year-of-the-family-conference-family-and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Her Excellency, President Osmani, Excellencies,  It is an honour and a privilege to open today’s conference to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. I thank the Doha International Family Institute for its impeccable organization. And I am very grateful to the Government of Qatar for hosting this gathering, and for offering to host the Second World Summit for Social Development next year. 30/10/2024 - 15:18 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-10-30/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-session-of-the-30th-anniversary-of-the-international-year-of-the-family-conference-family-and /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-10-30/secretary-generals-remarks-the-ministerial-breakfast-the-intergovernmental-negotiating-committee-end-plastic-pollution-delivered Excellencies, Friends, We are here today as we enter the last stretch of a crucial negotiation. Next month, Member States will meet in Busan, Republic of Korea to negotiate a multilateral solution to end plastic pollution. A solution that is vital for people, planet and prosperity alike. My thanks to the Government of Colombia for bringing us together today. And I commend you for leading by example – with ambitious national measures to reduce single-use plastics. Excellencies, dear Friends, We are here because we know the obvious. 30/10/2024 - 10:46 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-10-30/secretary-generals-remarks-the-ministerial-breakfast-the-intergovernmental-negotiating-committee-end-plastic-pollution-delivered