Nothing justifies the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and the taking of hostages. And nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Yet, more than a year later, Gaza is in ruins, more than 43,000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – have been reportedly killed, and the humanitarian crisis is getting worse by the day. This is appalling and inexcusable. Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli military operations, settlement expansion, evictions, demolitions, settler violence and threats of annexation are inflicting further pain and injustice. It is past time for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages; an end to the unlawful occupation of the Palestinian Territory – as confirmed by the International Court of Justice and the General Assembly; and irreversible progress towards a two-State solution, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions – with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, and Jerusalem as the capital of both States. As a matter of urgency, I appeal for full support of lifesaving humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people – in particular through the work of UNRWA, which represents an irreplaceable lifeline for millions of Palestinians. The United Nations will continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights to live in peace, security and dignity.

I am pleased to convene this High-level meeting commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.Let us remember the tragedy that inspired the proclamation of this day.In 1960, the Mirabal sisters were brutally assassinated for their courageous activism and resistance to oppression.They became symbols of the pervasive scourge of violence against women worldwide. This scourge continues to upend the lives of millions of women and girls today.Too often, this violence is rooted in and exacerbated by a deep-seated gender inequality and regressive social attitudes toward women and girls. We must be far more resolute in combating this violence, and act with greater urgency than in the past. Let us use this International Day as an opportunity to exchange best practices, identify critical gaps, and strengthen our commitment to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.The international community has made historic strides in the right direction. In 1979, we adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. 

This was an affirmation that women’s rights are human rights. 

The Convention commits signatories to eliminate discrimination, promote gender equality, and empower women worldwide.The 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action further prioritized ending violence as essential to achieving gender equality.These are milestones that have led to the adoption in several countries of national legislation aimed at empowering women, ending gendered violence, and providing vital support to survivors.Yet today, a lack of adequate enforcement or political will limits the impact of these measures.Women and girls are still being killed and battered because of their gender.Women who play a role in the public sphere, including in politics, still face violence both online and offline, with some attacks proving fatal.Globally, an estimated 736 million women—nearly one in three—have experienced physical or sexual violence, or both, at least once in their lives.This is unacceptable!We must actively promote policies and programmes that address the root causes of violence against women and girls, striving toward true gender equality.We must end discriminatory laws and social norms. We must also implement robust legal frameworks and policies to fully uphold gender equality and women’s rights.Men and boys have an important role in this fight. They are allies who must introspect on what they can do better.  Moreover, they must take proactive steps to change discriminatory attitudes toward women and prevent violence against them.It is our collective responsibility to do so too.In the Pact for the Future, Member States reaffirmed their commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, reinforcing their efforts to achieve gender equality,To advance women’s participation in all spheres of life,To fully empower women and girls, And to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence targeting them.I wholeheartedly support the urgent implementation of these commitments. Broadly, I will continue to champion gender equality in the work of the General Assembly, especially as we prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration next year.I will participate in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, beginning today and concluding on Human Rights Day, on 10 December.And I will also reestablish the Advisory Board on Gender Equality to guide our efforts within the work of the General Assembly, and beyond.The thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action will be a crucial opportunity to further integrate these efforts into our pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals.Let us use this moment to strengthen our resolve and work together to secure a world free from violence for all women and girls.Thank you.[END]

This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that we need the leadership of persons with disabilities more than ever.Persons with disabilities already disproportionately bear the brunt of the crises scarring our world -- from conflicts and climate disasters, to poverty and inequalities -- because of persistent discrimination, stigma and barriers to basic rights and services.But, they are also often denied their right to contribute to solutions to these crises.  Through the recently adopted Pact for the Future, the countries of the world committed to correcting this injustice for persons with disabilities of all ages, for present and future generations.This includes recognizing the essential role of persons with disabilities in shaping the future of digital and assistive technologies -- such as those powered by artificial intelligence -- driving change across communities and advocating for their rightful place in decision-making processes that affect their lives.Next year’s World Summit for Social Development will be a key moment to carry these and other commitments forward.  In every community, persons with disabilities are changemakers and peacemakers.They are also leaders.  On this important day, and every day, let’s work with persons with disabilities to achieve an inclusive and sustainable future for all people.[END]For more information and resources at the following link: https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities 

The Secretary-General welcomes the successful conclusion of the fifth session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, which took place from 18 – 22 November 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.The work of this Conference is critical to building a more peaceful future for all people -- in the Middle East and around the world. The Secretary-General commends the participating States of the Conference, under the Presidency of Mauritania, on their constructive engagement towards the elaboration of a future treaty and their commitment to diplomacy and multilateral solutions at a time of ongoing heightened tensions and the acute humanitarian crisis in the Middle East region.He encourages the participating States to continue working constructively during the intersessional period, and supports their continuing efforts to pursue, in an open and inclusive manner, the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear-Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. He congratulates Morocco, with best wishes for success, on its endorsement as the President of the sixth session.[END]