Statement of the UN Secretary-General at the UNGA72

Disarmament: “More broadly, all countries must show greater commitment to the universal goal of a world without nuclear weapons. The nuclear-weapon states have a special responsibility to lead. Today proliferation is creating unimaginable danger, and disarmament is paralyzed. There is an urgent need to prevent proliferation, to promote disarmament and to preserve gains made in these directions.”

Israel/Palestine: “We must not let today’s stagnation in the peace process lead to tomorrow’s escalation. We must restore the hopes of the people. The two-state solution remains the only way forward. It must be pursued urgently.”

Women: “Civilians are paying the highest price, with women and girls facing systematic violence and oppression.”

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: “We have launched a new victims-centered approach to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Gender Parity: “We have a roadmap to achieve gender parity at the United Nations – and we are already on our way.”

Conflict Prevention: “I have seen in my country, and in my years at the United Nations, that it is possible to move from war to peace, and from dictatorship to democracy. Let us push ahead with a surge in diplomacy today and a leap in conflict prevention for tomorrow.”

Women/Female: Half of our world is female. Half of our world is under 25 years old. We can not achieve the objectives of sustainable development without taking advantage of women and rely on enormous energy of young people.