The Elders (@theelders) — Bluesky Profile

23 hours ago

"As Elders, we remind political leaders that abandoning or sidelining international law is criminal. It undermines the very foundations of global peace and stability, and puts the human family at grave risk." - Graça Machel, Deputy Chair of The Elders

A world in which powerful states set their own rules is a threat to everyone.

In our latest newsletter, Graça Machel warns that applying international rules selectively threatens the entire system that protects peace and security.

theelders.org/news/interna...

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2 days ago

ELDERS’ STATEMENT | 10.03.2026
The Elders urge progress on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to secure a fair pandemic deal

ELDERS’ STATEMENT | The Elders urge progress on PABS Annex to secure a fair pandemic deal

A Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex is essential to ensure the world will respond faster and more equitably to the next pandemic.

Read the statement in full: theelders.org/news/elders-...

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2 days ago

"The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion has illuminated the legal path forward in addressing climate change. The UN General Assembly now has the opportunity – and the responsibility – to walk that path, to uphold the rule of law, and to endorse the Court’s findings." - Mary Robinson

The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion was clear: states must protect the environment and prevent environmental harm across borders.

As Vanuatu introduces a UNGA resolution to endorse the ruling, Mary Robinson urges states to turn this legal clarity into real-world climate action 👇

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5 days ago

"International law cannot be “à la carte”. Its credibility depends on consistent application, regardless of who is involved." - Graça Machel, Deputy Chair of The Elders

✉️ NEWSLETTER | International law cannot be “à la carte”

In our latest newsletter, Graça Machel discusses the U.S. and Israel’s military strikes in Iran and argues that a world in which powerful states set their own rules is a threat to everyone.

theelders.org/news/interna...

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1 week ago

“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.

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1 week ago

The New Age of Resource Competition Needs Transparency Helen Clark & Ellen Johnson Sirleaf worry that the scramble for critical minerals will enrich the few at the expense of the many.

📝 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

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2 weeks ago

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.

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2 weeks ago

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.

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3 weeks ago

Standing up for international law and cooperation at #MSC2026 | The Elders YouTube video by The Elders

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...

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3 weeks ago

"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...

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1 month ago

"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...

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1 month ago

Nuclear diplomacy just got a whole lot less predictable 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...

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...

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1 month ago

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.

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1 month ago

The last nuclear safeguard has expired. Now no limits on US & Russian nuclear arsenals exist. YouTube video by The Elders

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...

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1 month ago

The Last Safeguard on US & Russian Nuclear Weapons is Gone. How Worried Should We Be? YouTube video by The Elders

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

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1 month ago

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-...

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1 month ago

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-...

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1 month ago

“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...

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1 month ago

Trump's Board of Peace is 'power grab' to undermine rule of law says Mary Robinson “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 P...

“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...

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1 month ago

The Sunday Magazine for January 18, 2026 | CBC Radio Stephanie Levitz and Joël-Denis Bellavance break down the politics of Canada's trade deal with China, Arash Azizi and Gregg Carlstrom unpack the unrest in Iran, Mary Robinson shares her vision for pre...

“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...

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1 month ago

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...

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1 month ago

✉️ 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...

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2 months ago

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-...

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2 months ago

‘World stability is in danger,’ warns Nobel Peace Prize winner | CNN Juan Manuel Santos, former Colombian president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, speaks with Christiane Amanpour about the potential consequences of the US operation to oust Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.

Watch the interview in full:
edition.cnn.com/2026/01/07/t...

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2 months ago

‘World stability is in danger,’ warns Nobel Peace Prize winner in response to US action in Venezuela YouTube video by The Elders

“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...

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3 months ago

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...

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3 months ago

“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/...

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3 months ago

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-...

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3 months ago

“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.

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3 months ago

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

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