/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/2025-09-19/secretary-generals-remarks-the-commemoration-of-the-un80-living-legacy-delivered Honoured Guests, Dear Friends,  I am going to be brief this evening because I know the real stars of this evening’s show. This celebration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations is special because of you. In this Hall, and joining us online, are people who have devoted their lives to service. To action.  To hope. Women and men of the United Nations.  Diplomats.  Partners in civil society.  Artists, advocates, and changemakers. 19/09/2025 - 18:51 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-19/secretary-generals-remarks-the-commemoration-of-the-un80-living-legacy-delivered /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-19/statement-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-the-entry-force-of-the-bbnj-agreement Today, the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction – the BBNJ Agreement – has reached the required threshold of ratifications for entry into force.   I welcome this historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism.     In two years, States have turned commitment into action – proving what is possible when nations unite for the common good.   19/09/2025 - 14:28 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-19/statement-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-the-entry-force-of-the-bbnj-agreement /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-17/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-colombia-scroll-down-for-spanish-version The Secretary-General welcomes the issuance by Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace of its first restorative sentences, a historic milestone in the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement of 2016. He takes note of the court’s announcement that these sentences, for former commanders of the FARC-EP, will be followed later this week by the first sentences for former members of the public security forces.   17/09/2025 - 09:16 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-17/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-colombia-scroll-down-for-spanish-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-17/secretary-generals-video-message-the-viii-congress-of-leaders-of-world-and-traditional-religions Download the video: 17/09/2025 - 07:49 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-17/secretary-generals-video-message-the-viii-congress-of-leaders-of-world-and-traditional-religions /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-16/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-for-the-preservation-of-the-ozone-layer-scroll-down-for-french-version Forty years ago, nations came together to take the first step in protecting the ozone layer – guided by science, united in action.  The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol became a landmark of multilateral success. Today, the ozone layer is healing.  This achievement reminds us that when nations heed the warnings of science, progress is possible. Scientists are sounding the alarm once again. We are hurtling towards pushing global temperatures 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with devastating consequences.  04/09/2025 - 14:11 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-16/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-for-the-preservation-of-the-ozone-layer-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-09-16/secretary-generals-press-conference-following-the-start-of-the-80th-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly Good afternoon. Leaders are making their way to New York for the UN’s 80th anniversary and High-Level week of the General Assembly. Some call it the World Cup of diplomacy.  But this cannot be about scoring points – it must be about solving problems. There is too much at stake.  We are gathering in turbulent – even uncharted – waters. Geo-political divides widening.  Conflicts raging.  Impunity escalating.  Our planet overheating.  New technologies racing ahead without guardrails.  Inequalities widening by the hour. 16/09/2025 - 10:42 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-09-16/secretary-generals-press-conference-following-the-start-of-the-80th-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-15/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-of-democracy-scroll-down-for-french-version Download the video: 03/09/2025 - 16:52 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-15/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-of-democracy-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-15/secretary-generals-message-the-opening-of-the-69th-regular-session-of-the-general-conference-of-the-iaea I am pleased to send warm greetings to participants at the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency. You gather at a time of profound global turbulence. Geopolitical tensions are rising. The nuclear threat is growing. And the global community is riven with deep divisions. Yet in the face of these challenges, the IAEA stands as a pillar of professionalism, impartiality, and scientific excellence. 15/09/2025 - 04:28 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-15/secretary-generals-message-the-opening-of-the-69th-regular-session-of-the-general-conference-of-the-iaea /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-15/secretary-generals-message-the-entry-force-of-the-wto-agreement-fisheries-subsidies I welcome today’s entry into force of the landmark WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies – a vital step in protecting our oceans and advancing sustainable development. Overfishing and illegal fishing are accelerating biodiversity loss and threatening the food security and livelihoods of millions. Harmful subsidies – costing taxpayers $22 billion annually – fuel this crisis, often at the expense of small-scale fishers. 15/09/2025 - 04:47 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-15/secretary-generals-message-the-entry-force-of-the-wto-agreement-fisheries-subsidies /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-13/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-%C2%A0haiti-scroll-down-for-french The Secretary-General strongly condemns the reported killing of at least 40 people, including women, children and elderly, during a brutal attack by armed gangs in the Cabaret commune of Haiti's West Department during the night of 11 September. The Secretary-General expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the Government of Haiti.   13/09/2025 - 11:59 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-13/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-%C2%A0haiti-scroll-down-for-french /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-12/secretary-generals-message-mark-the-united-nations-day-for-south-south-cooperation-scroll-down-for-french-version On this United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, we celebrate the growing momentum of opportunity, innovation and solidarity across the Global South.  In an increasingly multipolar world, developing countries are demonstrating remarkable resilience and ingenuity – not only in responding to crises, but in driving transformation. 02/09/2025 - 16:05 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-12/secretary-generals-message-mark-the-united-nations-day-for-south-south-cooperation-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-12/secretary-generals-remarks-the-peace-bell-ceremony-delivered Eighty years ago, the United Nations emerged from the ashes of war to pursue the cause of peace. That mission is the beating heart of our Organization. But today, peace is under siege. Conflicts are multiplying. Civilians are suffering. Human rights and international law are being trampled – leaving scenes that disgrace our common humanity. This year’s theme for Peace Day is “Act Now for a Peaceful World”. Because we know that peace doesn’t happen by accident. 12/09/2025 - 09:14 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-12/secretary-generals-remarks-the-peace-bell-ceremony-delivered /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-09/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-protect-education-attack-scroll-down-for-french-version No child should risk death to learn. Yet this year, as violence against children in armed conflict continues to climb to unprecedented levels, education is once again caught in the crossfire. The past 12 months saw a staggering 44 percent surge in attacks on schools, resulting in the death, abduction and trauma of thousands of teachers and students. Each violation carries profound consequences — not only for teachers and young learners, but for the future of entire communities and countries. 29/08/2025 - 15:13 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-09/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-protect-education-attack-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-closing-of-the-seventy-ninth-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly-delivered Mr. President of the General Assembly, Madam President-Elect, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Thank you for joining us as we close this 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. This session took place during a profoundly tumultuous moment for the human family. Conflicts, divisions, inequalities, poverty, injustices, displacement, hunger and another year of record-breaking heat… Together, this Assembly faced these challenges and worked to discuss, debate and develop common solutions to address them. 09/09/2025 - 11:16 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-closing-of-the-seventy-ninth-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly-delivered /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-of-the-80th-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly-delivered Madam President of the General Assembly, Your Excellency Annalena Baerbock. Congratulations, once again, on your election — which holds added significance as you become only the fifth woman in history to be elected to this important role.  And I thank the outgoing President — His Excellency Philemon Yang — for so ably guiding this Assembly over the last year. I pledge my support to you, Madam President, as you take on this important role in an important year — the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. 09/09/2025 - 15:33 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-09-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-of-the-80th-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly-delivered