Shirin Yaseen

I have less than 100 days left in office as @UN Secretary-General & I will carry a spirit of resolve & determination through each of them. But commitment to UN values is greater than any office & endures beyond any title. So even when I am no longer Secretary-General, be sure of this: I'll keep championing the conviction that peace is possible, human dignity is universal, the power of law must prevail over the law of power & our common future is worth fighting for. I will never, ever give up.

The Syrian people have shown extraordinary resilience through years of hardship. They should not have to carry the burden of recovery alone. The international community must match Syrian determination with sustained political support, economic engagement & practical assistance.

AI must be used to help solve the climate crisis — not deepen it. Its appetite for electricity, water & land is growing fast. AI companies must power data centres with renewable energy by 2030 & disclose their environmental footprint. Technology aimed at protecting people must also protect the planet.

Just 36% of the Sustainable Development Goals targets are on track or making progress. Our mission is clear: to accelerate progress at scale & speed. Together, let’s summon the leadership, financing & solidarity this mission requires, and build a brighter future for all.

A pleasure meeting @IMOSecGen Arsenio Dominguez. At a time of widening geopolitical tensions, the work of @IMOHQ is more vital than ever in ensuring the safety of mariners around the world. I fully support IMO’s efforts to release the seafarers stranded in the Gulf.

On #AfricaDay, we celebrate the continent’s abundant strengths, resilience, potential & growing influence on the world stage. The people of Africa have overcome the destructive consequences of slavery & colonialism & forged unity & purpose out of adversity. The @UN is proud to work with African countries to build a peaceful, prosperous & sustainable future all Africans & our world.

GDP is the most widely used metric of economic progress & well-being. But it cannot be the only one. GDP is indifferent to whether income goes to billionaires or to the poor – or if that income goes to addressing hunger, health or deprivation. Let’s count what matters: Health. Biodiversity. Job-creation. Human rights. Equality.

Wednesday marks 3 years of war in Sudan. Nearly 34 million people now need humanitarian assistance, more than 4.5 million have been forced to flee across borders. This nightmare must end. We need an immediate cessation of hostilities & a credible path toward an inclusive, civilian-led political process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

Amid the escalation in Lebanon, hundreds of thousands of civilians are fleeing with nothing but what they can carry. I met with several of them to listen to their heartbreaking stories. Civilians must be respected & protected at all times. This war must end.

Women’s rights are human rights. And investing in women and girls is one of the surest ways to make the world a better place Yet, progress on gender equality has been slow and uneven. It’s time to take action and deliver the equality our world so sorely needs. Women and girls are changing the world. Let’s change the world for women and girls.

Africa is navigating some of the world’s hardest challenges with determination, creativity & resilience — solving problems in an international environment that is polarised, unpredictable & volatile. The @UN stands with Africa for peace, sustainable development & climate justice.

In an era when multilateralism is under strain & trust is in short supply – the @UN Economic & Social Council is an indispensable platform for global dialogue & action. Together, let’s build a world anchored in peace, justice & shared prosperity. un.org/sg/en/content/sg/2026…

The @UN Charter is the foundation of international relations, the bedrock of peace, sustainable development & human rights. When leaders run roughshod over international law, picking & choosing which rules to follow – they are undermining global order & setting a perilous precedent. When a handful of individuals can bend global narratives, sway elections, or dictate the terms of public debate, we are facing inequality and the corruption of institutions & our shared values. The Charter is a compact which binds us all. All countries must adhere to it, fully & faithfully.

I stand in full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan after the devastating earthquake that hit the country earlier today. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. The @UN team in Afghanistan is mobilized and will spare no effort to assist those in need in the affected areas.

Amid converging global crises, the world remains dangerously unprepared for shared risks. But we are not powerless. The first-ever @UN Global Risk Report sends a clear message: our future depends on global cooperation to address these threats. unglobalriskreport.org

I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.   There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.   I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the @UN Charter and other rules of international law.   At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos.   There is no military solution.  The only path forward is diplomacy.  The only hope is peace.

I am very concerned by announcements by several @UN member countries to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. We must uphold humanitarian norms & accelerate mine action. The protection of innocent lives depends on our collective action & commitment.

I am encouraged by the remarkable efforts of the civil society organizations I met today at the @UN Ocean Conference. Their momentum, insights & contributions are crucial to accelerate progress on ocean, climate & biodiversity action.

The situation for Palestinians in Gaza is beyond description, beyond atrocious & beyond inhumane. A policy of siege & starvation makes a mockery of international law. The blockade against humanitarian aid must end immediately. This is a moment for moral clarity & action.