“The military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran violate international law and threaten regional and global security.”
Chair of The Elders, Juan Manuel Santos, calls for an immediate halt to military escalation.
“The military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran violate international law and threaten regional and global security.”
Chair of The Elders, Juan Manuel Santos, calls for an immediate halt to military escalation.
📝 OP-ED: The New Age of Resource Competition Needs Transparency
"The current race for critical minerals could easily reproduce injustices under a green banner. But that outcome is not inevitable."
Helen Clark and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in @projectsyndicate.bsky.social: bit.ly/47gnmtB
Without New START the world faces a dangerous new nuclear arms race
President Trump has himself acknowledged that there are already enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world “100 times over”, and has called for talks on denuclearisation with both Russia and China. The time for those talks is now.
Without nuclear safeguards, risks multiply.
With no treaty limiting US and Russian nuclear arsenals, decades of restraint give way to uncertainty, competition and greater danger for all.
The AI Impact Summit has concluded without clear plans to tackle growing risks.
Leaders must heed the findings of Yoshua Bengio and his team's International AI Safety Report and ensure that AI's development does not continue to outpace our ability to govern it.
At #MSC2026, The Elders spoke up in defence of international law and multilateralism.
In meetings with global leaders, they underscored one message: security is built through dialogue and cooperation.
youtube.com/shorts/33v1e...
"A Board of Peace should remain wholly and urgently focused on the continued crisis in Gaza as provided for in the Security Council’s time-limited mandate." - Helen Clark, Member of The Elders
The UN Security Council supported a Board of Peace for Gaza’s interim administration, but what emerged at Davos is worrying.
In our latest newsletter, Helen Clark explores what this means for a multilateral system already under strain.
theelders.org/news/we-must...
"This is a moment of choice. Either the international community allows the values that have long underpinned global cooperation to erode, or it comes together to defend and renew them." - Helen Clark, Member of The Elders
✉️NEWSLETTER | We must reject a world governed by raw power
Helen Clark reflects on Davos, President Trump’s Board of Peace and pushing back against “might-is-right” as The Elders head to the Munich Security Conference.
Read & subscribe: theelders.org/news/we-must...
For the last 50 years, the New START treaty has kept the world safer by limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin should move quickly toward extending New START or a new, verifiable agreement.
youtube.com/shorts/Nfdlz...
Diplomacy not bombs is the best route out of this current crisis.
Juan Manuel Santos hails the efforts of Oman to facilitate dialogue at US-Iran talks on Friday.
As of today, there are no treaty limits on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals.
The expiration of New START increases nuclear risks for everyone.
Here the Chief Negotiator of the treaty joins Elders to explain the escalating dangers and what must happen now.
youtube.com/shorts/mEWHB...
The New START treaty, the last guardrail limiting US and Russian nuclear weapons is about to expire.
Presidents Trump and Putin must agree an extension to prevent a new nuclear arms race.
youtu.be/Qn0VIjRMAbs
Nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, August 7th, 1957. Credit: USDOE.
For the first time in over 50 years, there will be no restraints on the stockpiles of the two biggest nuclear powers. It is in everyone’s interests to reduce nuclear risks. Any use of nuclear weapons, whether by accident or intentional, would be a catastrophic failure of leadership. The prize of a nuclear deal, on the other hand, is potentially huge.
ELDERS’ STATEMENT | The Elders urge USA, Russia to halt nuclear arms race as New START expires
theelders.org/news/elders-...
2/2
The Elders urge USA, Russia to halt nuclear arms race as New START expires.
The world faces a destabilising nuclear arms race as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the United States of America and the Russian Federation expires on 5 February.
ELDERS’ STATEMENT | The Elders urge USA, Russia to halt nuclear arms race as New START expires
Putin and Trump must act urgently to secure a new deal, reduce nuclear risks and protect humanity.
theelders.org/news/elders-...
1/2
“The Doomsday Clock is a sign of leaders’ failure to act responsibly in the face of existential threats. “They have not heeded the warnings of previous years, so once again the hands of the clock have moved even closer to midnight.” Juan Manuel Santos Chair of The Elders
“The looming expiration of the New START treaty between Russia and the USA means nuclear risks are likely to get even higher. This is intolerable. Humanity deserves better. Global citizens need to mobilise and make their voices heard, so leaders feel real and urgent pressure to change course.” Juan Manuel Santos Chair of The Elders
The Doomsday Clock has moved four seconds closer to midnight.
This is the consequence of world leaders’ lack of attention to the nuclear threat.
thebulletin.org/doomsday-clo...
“It’s an idea of one man and one man’s power.”
Speaking to CNN’s Isa Soares, Mary Robinson calls out the damaging consequences of President Trump’s Board of Peace for the multilateral system and the international rule of law.
youtube.com/shorts/1Y8e6...
“The international rule of law is so basic to human rights… [but] now we’re seeing an assertion of rule of power.”
Mary Robinson speaks to CBC on the need to uphold the rule of law and defend multilateralism to protect global peace and security.
www.cbc.ca/radio/sunday...
Juan Manuel Santos Interview | The Paper (China) "We need to firmly reject any revival of the doctrine of 'spheres of influence'."
Juan Manuel Santos spoke to China’s The Paper about his concerns over the US’ transactional approach to foreign policy, warning that lasting global peace depends on dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and a strong UN-centred system.
www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_f...
✉️ NEWSLETTER | The expiration of New START threatens our collective security
Juan Manuel Santos calls on the US and Russia to act now to preserve the last restraint on their nuclear arsenals.
Read and subscribe: theelders.org/news/leaders...
ELDERS' STATEMENT | Elders warn against a return to a ‘might-is-right’ world
“We are witnessing the breakdown of the long-standing principle that the use of force is justified only in self-defence.”
Read in full: theelders.org/news/elders-...
Watch the interview in full:
edition.cnn.com/2026/01/07/t...
“This trend of not respecting the rule of law is a preamble for chaos.”
Juan Manuel Santos responds to the US intervention in Venezuela to capture Nicolás Maduro. Via Amanpour – CNN.
youtube.com/shorts/m0rX8...
Elders’ Statement | 11.12.2025 Gaza “ceasefire” rings hollow as all Palestinians face security catastrophe
Elders’ Statement | 11.12.2025 ISRAEL/PALESTINE “Palestinians in Gaza have little sense that the ceasefire is working. Their suffering risks increasing even further if the current process fails. Without targeted measures against extremists on both sides, progress towards a just and lasting peace will remain out of reach.” Read in full via theelders.org
ELDERS’ STATEMENT | Gaza “ceasefire” rings hollow as all Palestinians face security catastrophe
“The Elders condemn Israel’s continued military attacks and obstruction of aid in Gaza, two months after the ceasefire agreed.”
Read the statement in full: theelders.org/news/gaza-ce...
“I’m disappointed by the lack of consensus at COP30 on roadmaps to phase out fossil fuels and end deforestation. I look forward to more progress next year.” JUAN MANUEL SANTOS CHAIR OF THE ELDERS “While very disappointingly countries failed to agree on a collective roadmap to phase out fossil fuels or end deforestation, the global direction of travel is clear. And we saw real steps in establishing a just transition mechanism, agreeing a gender action plan, and calling to triple adaptation finance for vulnerable nations by 2035.” MARY ROBINSON MEMBER OF THE ELDERS
#COP30 didn't deliver the results needed.
Major emitters have blocked a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels. Yet, a majority of countries remain committed to move forward.
Read Elders' responses in full here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Elders’ Statement | 21.11.2025 Elders warn against bilateral pandemic deals that could impact multilateral cooperation
Elders’ Statement | 21.11.2025 “Parallel systems created through bilateral agreements should not undermine the foundations of global preparedness and response being built at the multilateral level. Once multilateralism is hollowed out, it is hard to rebuild...Decisions taken now will determine whether the world can build a future of shared safety and collective action, and whether all people are protected from pandemic threats.” Read in full via theelders.org
ELDERS’ STATEMENT | Elders warn against bilateral pandemic deals that could impact multilateral cooperation
Decisions taken now will determine whether all people are protected from pandemic threats.
Read the statement here:
theelders.org/news/elders-...
“COP30 needs to move us faster towards a phase out from fossil fuels. That's what a majority of people want. A minority of countries can't hold it up. ” - Mary Robinson
“The world has already agreed to transition away from all fossil fuels at COP28. That transition needs to be just, orderly and equitable. Each country will take a different approach to phasing out fossil fuels. Richer countries, and those who have polluted the planet most, should help poorer countries. Communities most involved in fossil fuel production will need particular support. Climate COPs are the place to coordinate a just transition away from fossil fuels. People already suffering from climate change need a phase out. The continuing increase in extreme weather events shows the alarming future ahead of us. And without it, millions more people will migrate, and some countries will cease to exist. Scientists urge a phase out. They can see we are approaching planetary tipping points from which there is no return. International law demands a phase out. July's ICJ opinion is clear that countries have a legal responsibility to regulate the production, consumption and subsidy of fossil fuels to prevent foreseeable harm. The market expects a phase out. Investment in renewable energy is now double investment in fossil fuels. The Elders applaud the growing group of countries calling for a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, and support the Brazilian presidency in finding the strongest possible language on a phase out. And as negotiations reach their climax, we call on all people who want a cleaner, healthier, safer future to make their voices heard - before it is too late." - Mary Robinson
“COP30 needs to move us faster to a phase-out from fossil fuels.”
As negotiations in Belém enter the final stages, Mary Robinson calls on leaders to commit to a clear roadmap for a just, orderly and equitable transition.
Mary Robinson and Janja Lula Silva, Brazil’s First Lady and the #COP30 Women Envoy, stand together for women-led climate leadership, in Belém. #GenderJustice
18.11.2025 16:33 — 👍 23 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
The Elders urge an end to the deadly conflicts in Sudan and the DRC
ELDERS’ STATEMENT | The Elders urge an end to the deadly conflicts in Sudan and the DR Congo.
The world has ignored these two conflicts for far too long. How the international community responds now is a test of our common humanity.
Read in full: theelders.org/news/elders-...
The Elders met Ed Miliband at #COP30 to discuss the UK’s crucial role in pushing for ambitious global climate action.
As a historic emitter and global leader, the UK must help accelerate a just transition and galvanise support for vulnerable communities.
NEWSLETTER "While women often bear the greatest burden in conflict situations, they are not only survivors, but powerful agents of change." - Denis Mukwege, member of The Elders
✉️ NEWSLETTER | Without women, there can be no lasting peace
Denis Mukwege calls for justice for survivors of sexual violence and for women’s full participation in peacebuilding.
Read & subscribe: theelders.org/news/without...
Climate & nature crisis "Ahead of COP30, the EU has sent a clear message: we can flourish economically and protect our planet at the same time." - Mary Robinson, member of The Elders
""Ahead of COP30, the EU has sent a clear message: we can flourish economically and protect our planet at the same time. Today’s announcement shows the EU is staying the course toward a net-zero future. Despite the disinformation circulated by groups with ties to the fossil fuel industry, this is the kind of leadership citizens and businesses want. It is proof that climate action can unite us beyond political divides toward a shared future." - Mary Robinson, member of The Elders
The EU’s new climate targets aren’t perfect and came at the 11th hour, but cutting 90% of emissions by 2040 shows leadership ahead of COP30 in a challenging political environment.
Read Mary Robinson’s reaction ⬇️