/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/2025-06-16/statement-the-secretary-general-the-anti-personnel-mine-ban-convention At a time when civilians face heightened risks from widening conflicts, it is imperative that we strengthen the frameworks that protect human life and dignity.  I am gravely concerned by recent announcements and steps taken by several Member States to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.  16/06/2025 - 11:24 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-16/statement-the-secretary-general-the-anti-personnel-mine-ban-convention /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-13/secretary-generals-message-mark-the-100-day-countdown-the-international-day-of-peace-scroll-down-for-french-version On 21 September, the world unites for the International Day of Peace. This year’s call: “Act Now for a Peaceful World”. Peace can’t wait – and it starts with us. We all have the power to help silence guns, build bridges and plant the seeds of lasting change. As we launch the 100-day countdown to Peace Day, let’s do our part to forge a more peaceful world. *** Le 21 septembre, le monde s’unit pour célébrer la Journée internationale de la paix. L’appel lancé cette année est : « Agissons maintenant pour l’avènement d’un monde pacifique ». 16/06/2025 - 09:21 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-13/secretary-generals-message-mark-the-100-day-countdown-the-international-day-of-peace-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-12/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-the-plane-crash-india The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the news of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 12 June, which claimed the lives of more than 200 people aboard as well as the loss of life and injuries at the BJ Medical College hostel, which was struck during the crash.   He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of India, as well as to all countries whose citizens were affected by this tragedy. He wishes a swift and full recovery to those who were injured.   12/06/2025 - 12:35 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-12/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-the-plane-crash-india /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-12/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93%C2%A0-israeli-strikes-against-the-islamic-republic-of-iran The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East. He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway.   The Secretary-General recalls the obligation of UN Member States to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.   The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford. 12/06/2025 - 23:19 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-12/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93%C2%A0-israeli-strikes-against-the-islamic-republic-of-iran /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-11/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-his-holiness-pope-leo-xiv The Secretary-General met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. They discussed ongoing and future areas of collaboration between the Holy See and the United Nations in their joint efforts to build a peaceful, just and sustainable world. His Holiness and the Secretary-General exchanged views on peace and security issues as well as other global priorities, including sustainable development, climate action and artificial intelligence and ways to build on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See. 11/06/2025 - 08:08 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-11/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-his-holiness-pope-leo-xiv /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2025-06-10/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-of-the-eighteenth-session-of-the-conference-of-states-parties-the-convention-the-rights-of-persons Welcome to the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On behalf of the Secretary-General, I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you for all you do to advance the rights of persons with disabilities around the world. A special welcome to civil society, and in particular, to the organizations led by persons with disabilities. Your presence fills this Hall with purpose. 11/06/2025 - 09:13 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2025-06-10/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-of-the-eighteenth-session-of-the-conference-of-states-parties-the-convention-the-rights-of-persons /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-06-10/secretary-generals-press-conference-ocean-conference-scroll-down-for-french Good morning,   We are in Nice on a mission – save the ocean, to save our future. 10/06/2025 - 05:12 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-06-10/secretary-generals-press-conference-ocean-conference-scroll-down-for-french /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-10/secretary-generals-message-the-global-young-academy-general-meeting-and-international-conference-of-young-scientists I extend my warm greetings to the Global Young Academy and the International Conference of Young Scientists. As an institutional partner of our Scientific Advisory Board, the Global Young Academy plays a vital role in ensuring that science – and scientists – are an essential part of global decision-making. 10/06/2025 - 06:36 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-10/secretary-generals-message-the-global-young-academy-general-meeting-and-international-conference-of-young-scientists /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-10/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-for-dialogue-among-civilizations-scroll-down-for-french-version Download the video: 29/05/2025 - 10:37 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-10/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-for-dialogue-among-civilizations-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-09/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-hm-king-abdullah-ii-ibn-al-hussein%C2%A0king-of-the-hashemite-kingdom-of-jordan The Secretary-General met with H.M. King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the sidelines of the UN Ocean Conference.  The Secretary-General and King Abdullah II discussed regional developments. The Secretary-General expressed his deep concern over the dramatic situation in Gaza and the worrying developments in the West Bank. They further discussed support to UNRWA.   09/06/2025 - 07:37 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-09/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-hm-king-abdullah-ii-ibn-al-hussein%C2%A0king-of-the-hashemite-kingdom-of-jordan /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-of-the-un-ocean-conference-bilingual-delivered-scroll-down-for-all-french Monsieur le Président de la République française, Cher Emmanuel Macron Señor Presidente de la República de Costa Rica, Estimado Rodrigo Chaves Robles   Excellences, chers amis, Dear President of the French Republic, Dear Emmanuel Macron Mr. President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dear Rodrigo Chaves Robles Excellencies, dear friends,   Permettez-moi tout d'abord de remercier nos hôtes, les gouvernements de la France et du Costa Rica, d'avoir organisé cette conférence. 09/06/2025 - 04:29 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-of-the-un-ocean-conference-bilingual-delivered-scroll-down-for-all-french /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-09/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-rodrigo-chaves-robles-president-of-costa-rica-scroll-down-for-spanish The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Chaves Robles, President of the Republic of Costa Rica.  The Secretary-General thanked Costa Rica for co-hosting the third UN Ocean Conference and congratulated Costa Rica for being among the first to have ratified the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).  He noted the vital contribution of the Agreement to maintain a healthy and productive ocean and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.     ***  09/06/2025 - 07:21 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-09/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-rodrigo-chaves-robles-president-of-costa-rica-scroll-down-for-spanish /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-summit-africa-for-the-ocean-all-french-delivered-scroll-down-for-all-english Votre Altesse Royale, Princesse Lalla Hasnaa du Royaume du Maroc, Monsieur le Président de la République française, Cher Emmanuel Macron, Excellences, Chers amis, Je vous remercie d’organiser ce sommet afin de réaffirmer un message clair : Les destins de l’Afrique et de l’océan sont profondément liés. Pour des millions de personnes à travers le continent, l’océan est source de vie, d’identité, de promesses. Avec plus de 30 000 kilomètres de littoral et 38 États côtiers, l’Afrique est une puissance maritime. 09/06/2025 - 09:52 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-summit-africa-for-the-ocean-all-french-delivered-scroll-down-for-all-english /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-09/readout-of-the-secretary-generals-meeting-he-mr-laurent-saint-cyr-member-of-the-transitional-presidential-council-of-haiti-scroll-down-for-french The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Laurent Saint-Cyr, Member of the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti in Nice, in the margins of the third UN Ocean Conference. They discussed the alarming security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. The Secretary-General emphasized the urgent need for progress in the political transition and stronger international security support to fight armed gangs. 09/06/2025 - 12:50 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-09/readout-of-the-secretary-generals-meeting-he-mr-laurent-saint-cyr-member-of-the-transitional-presidential-council-of-haiti-scroll-down-for-french /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-09/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-pham-minh-chinh-prime-minister-of-the-socialist-republic-of-viet-nam%C2%A0 The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.  The Secretary-General commended Viet Nam on its commitment to ocean governance and expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation between Viet Nam and the United Nations, including on promoting multilateralism. 09/06/2025 - 12:47 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-06-09/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-pham-minh-chinh-prime-minister-of-the-socialist-republic-of-viet-nam%C2%A0