Today, we mark the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members by reaffirming a promise: no colleague is forgotten. We think of all those who have been arrested, detained, abducted or gone missing while carrying out their duties — United Nations personnel and peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, colleagues working to protect and promote human rights, and others. Many serve in places where insecurity is a fact of life. They negotiate access, deliver lifesaving assistance and protect vulnerable people and their rights. The risks are real. Last year alone, 179 UN personnel were arrested or detained, and 118 UN colleagues remain in detention. We renew our call for the immediate release and safe return of those who are unlawfully detained. The dedication of our workforce deserves not only our gratitude — but also action. Providing support for them and their families. Relentlessly urging Member States to uphold international law, and ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian work. And strengthening prevention and training. Today and every day, let’s stand with those who serve humanity, and ensure they are protected and supported as they carry out their essential work.

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Today we commemorate the victims of a staggering crime:Millions of people stolen from their families and communities in Africa.Trafficked across the Atlantic.And — if they survived the journey — enslaved in the Americas.Millions more were born into bondage, brutally exploited for their labour, and denied their basic humanity.We honour their quiet resilience and courageous acts of open resistance.This global order prevailed for over 400 years — and haunts our world even now.In systems and institutions shaped and enriched by chattel slavery.In social and economic inequalities rooted in past injustices.And in biases that permeate our culture and impact us all.On this International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, we are called to confront these legacies.By rejecting the false narrative of racial difference and the ugly lie of white supremacy.By dismantling racism — online, in the media, in schools, at work, in politics, and within ourselves.And by working for truth, justice, and repair.I welcome the initial steps by some governments to address the consequences of slavery.But far bolder actions — by many more Member States — are needed.Including commitments to respect African countries’ ownership of their own resources.And steps to ensure their equal participation and influence in the global financial architecture and the UN Security Council.Together, let us commit to a world where all people live and thrive in dignity.By observing today, we can protect tomorrow – for people, for planet, for prosperity, and for generations to come.[END]

On this World Meteorological Day, we are reminded that foresight saves lives. Climate chaos is rewriting the rules of weather, with record heat, longer droughts, rising seas and ever more frequent and extreme disasters. Accurate, trusted science is our first line of defence.The World Meteorological Organization and national services help keep us safe by weaving a global web of data, from land, sea, air and space – turning measurements into forecasts, and forecasts into early warnings.  Yet the global observing system is under strain, with critical gaps, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States. This year’s theme, Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow, is a call to action.  Governments, development banks and the private sector must scale up support for our global observing backbone, from surface stations to satellites, and ensure data is shared openly and equitably.  And we must accelerate Early Warnings for All so that, by 2027, every person is protected by life-saving alerts.  Investing in observation pays many times over – strengthening peace, security, resilience and sustainable development.   By observing today, we can protect tomorrow – for people, for planet, for prosperity, and for generations to come.[END]

It is wonderful to be again with you.

I look forward to this townhall every year.

Let me start with my profound thanks to each of you.

You are on the frontlines every day.

Defending hard won rights for women and girls.

Opening new doors.

Building coalitions when societies are being pulled apart.

I know that work is not easy.

It comes at a price.

You may face, and many of you are facing treats intimidation and harassment.

When you push for change, you are pushing against the patriarchy.

And the patriarchy is pushing back. 

We still live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture. 

And gender equality is fundamentally a question of power.

We see those power gaps everywhere – from the arena of politics, to economic decision-making, to the technologies shaping our future, including AI.

Patriarchy is rampant in the Silicon Valleys of the world. And that is where power today is becoming more and more concentrated.

Power is never given willingly – even when sharing that power benefits everyone.

Every inch of progress is earned.

You have earned it by doing what the abolitionist and feminist Lucretia Mott described long ago as shaking “the foundations of privilege.”

Dear friends,

You are foundation-shakers.

And you are shaking out justice, dignity and equality for communities across the globe.

But I am not just here to say thank you.

I am here to listen – to your suggestions and your advice.

These are trying times.

A bitter wind is blowing around the world.

That wind is hardening attitudes – and fueling a backlash against women’s rights.

A backlash that thrives on disinformation.

That exploits fear and insecurity.

That weaponizes culture wars.

And that seeks to push women into silence.

Well, the last thing I want from you today is silence. 

I want you to speak freely.

To tell me what you are seeing.

To tell me what is changing.

To tell me how you’re responding – and what together we must do.

I do not want diplomatic language.

I want your truth – and your guidance.

Dear friends,

I have benefitted from that guidance over the past decade.

Working together, we have shown what can change when gender equality is at the centre.

How institutions become stronger and more credible when women are in senior leadership.

How outcomes improve when women are included as decision makers from the very start.

That is what the United Nations strategy to advance gender parity is all about.

For the first time in UN history, we achieved parity among our senior leaders at headquarters and globally. Parity among our top representatives around the world. Parity at the professional levels.

And it has paid dividends for everyone – improving our work, bolstering our legitimacy, and enhancing our ability to serve people.

And here I would like to give you an explanation. Looking at 160 high level officials of the UN, we were at about 30% of women, ten years ago. We are now at full parity with a little bit more women than men. And people might think that to do that, I had bent the rules or change the rules to benefit women. It is totally false. All the selections that were made that led to parity were based on strict criteria of independence and inpartiality. The difference was, when women believe that there is an effective opportunity and come forward. Indeed we discovered that in a very clear majority in this case the best candidates were women. And this is particularly true in the public sectors. We see men still. I mean, sometimes those more qualified with an attraction for the private sector. We see still women, largely attracted to the public sector. And so indeed our experience is that we have best women in more quantity than best men. When we see the different posts  that we have put for candidacies, and then with panels evaluating who were the best candidates. So I think it’s very important to say this. To reach gender parity, you do not need to bend the rules. You just need to provide women the same opportunity provided by men and you will discover that that will lead to effective gender parity.

Our Gender Equality Acceleration Plan continues this work – coordinating action across the United Nations family for real change in the lives of women and girls.

We will keep advancing all these efforts in the UN and far beyond.

After all, the greatest obstacles – and the greatest opportunities – are in societies themselves: in laws, institutions, and power structures.

That is why your work matters so much.

You are pushing leaders to act when they would rather postpone.

And you are expanding the boundaries of the possible.

Women are leading the fight for rights across the board – from health to climate, from peacebuilding to labour. 

Don’t let up.

Progress is fragile.

Rights can be rolled back much faster than they were won.

Space can close quickly.

And, yes, fatigue is also real – especially when opponents are well funded and ruthless.

But I want you to know:

Your work is making a real difference.

For women and girls.

For peace and sustainable development. 

For human rights and for our shared future.

For each and every one of us.

Dear friends,

I look forward to hearing your views and advice, but let me conclude with some advice of my own:

Keep shaking the foundations of privilege.

You can count on me to be with you – now and always.

And together, we will say loud and clear: 

No to the pushback.

No to the rollback.

No to going back. 

No surrender.

Because we will never, ever give up.

Thank you.

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