Antonio Guterres

“Migratory birds connect people, ecosystems, and nations. They are symbols of peace and of an interconnected planet.”

“One of the problems with the Security Council is that there are vetoes, and they do not allow us to do what might be justified from the point of view of sanctions.”

“The 'responsibility to protect' is a very important concept.”

“Torture remains unacceptable and unjustified at all times, including during states of emergency, political instability, or even in a war.”

“As populations continue to increase, and the climate continues to deteriorate, and as people flock in ever increasing numbers to large, underdeveloped cities, the threat of multiple protracted mega-emergencies has become reality.”

“Terrorism is a persistent and evolving global menace. No country is immune.”

“The people of the D.P.R.K. need our generosity and help.”

“Facing dramatic global challenges, we need a global capacity to address them that reaffirms the importance of multilateralism and the importance of a rules-based set of international relations, based on the rule of law and in accordance with the U.N. Charter.”

“Plastic waste is now found in the most remote areas of the planet. It kills marine life and is doing major harm to communities that depend on fishing and tourism.”

“You see in Islam, you see in Christianity, you see in Africa, in different religions, in Buddhism and Hinduism, there is a strong commitment to refugee protection.”

“We cannot leave the Central Africans abandoned. Everyone needs to be mobilized to help this country build a future that Central Africans deserve.”

“Denying the rights of women and girls is not only wrong in itself; it has a serious social and economic impact that holds us all back.”

“Many countries do not allow women to convey their nationality to their children - if they are single mothers, the children become stateless.”

“The only sure way to eliminate the threat posed by nuclear weapons is to eliminate the weapons themselves.”

“When counterterrorist policies are used to suppress peaceful protests and legitimate opposition movements, shut down debate, target human rights defenders, or stigmatize minorities, they fail, and we all lose. Indeed, such responses may cause further resentment and instability and contribute to radicalization.”

“When two people are together, they are not two but six: what each one is, what each one thinks he or she is, and what each one thinks the other is. And what is true for people is also true for countries and organisations.”

“Preventing conflict means going back to basics - strengthening institutions and building resilient societies.”

“Far too often, girls are not given the space and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential.”

“Conflicts are multiplying - people are suffering. But we don't give up, because we know every man, woman, and child deserves a life of peace.”

“China can be a guarantor to North Korea that if they give up their nuclear capacity, the United States will not be in a position to harm them. And for the United States, China can also be a guarantor that if there is an agreement, that the agreement is effectively implemented by the North Koreans.”