- Secretary-General
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S MESSAGE ON WORLD AIDS DAY
New York, 1 December 2020 With the world’s attention focused on the COVID-19 crisis, World AIDS Day is a reminder of the need to maintain focus on another global pandemic that is still with us nearly 40 years after it emerged…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY GENERAL’S OPENING REMARKS AT THIRTEENTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
New York, 30 November 2020 I am pleased to join you for the 13th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Later this week, we will also observe the…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
New York, 2 December 2020 This year’s global protests against systemic racism have brought renewed attention to a legacy of injustices all over the world whose roots lie in the dark history of colonialism and slavery. But…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY‑GENERAL’S MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
New York, 3 December 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic has affected communities and societies at their very core, deepening pre-existing inequalities. Even under normal circumstances, the one billion persons living with disabilities…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S ADDRESS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: “THE STATE OF THE PLANET”
New York, 2 December 2020 President Bollinger, Dear friends, I thank Columbia University for hosting this gathering — and I welcome those joining online around the world. We meet in this unusual way as we enter the last month…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY
New York, 5 December 2020 Every year on 5 December, the world observes International Volunteer Day. This year, we are highlighting the important contributions of volunteers to the response to COVID-19. Around the world…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY
New York, 7 December 2020 International aviation plays a key role in human affairs. It lets us discover our world’s wondrous geographic and cultural diversity. It enables us to learn about and benefit from each other. And it…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY
New York, 9 December 2020 In recent years, anger and frustration have erupted at corrupt leaders and governments. In some countries, people have taken to the streets with demands for social justice and accountability. Amidst…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY GENERAL’S MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION AND DIGNITY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE AND OF THE PREVENTION OF THIS CRIME
New York, 9 December 2020 Genocide is the most heinous of crimes, encompassing all it touches in a tsunami of hate and destruction. It is an assault on our most fundamental shared values. Today, as we remember and honour the…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY-GENERAL'S VIDEO MESSAGE FOR THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF TURKMENISTAN'S PERMANENT NEUTRALITY
New York, 12 November 2020 I am honoured to speak to you on the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the General Assembly resolution on the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan. In adopting this resolution, the General…
- Secretary-General
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S VIDEO MESSAGE ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2020 “RECOVER BETTER: STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS”
New York, 10 December 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced two fundamental truths about human rights. First, human rights violations harm us all. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable…