/sg/en/content/ossg/latest-statements Latest Statements, Off-the-Cuff and Readouts from Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General of the United Nations en /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-07/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-of-clean-air-for-blue-skies-%E2%80%9Cinvest-cleanairnow%E2%80%9D-scroll-down-for-french-version Ninety-nine per cent of humanity breathes polluted air – leading to an estimated 8 million premature deaths – including more than 700,000 children under five. Pollution is also choking economies and heating up our planet, adding fuel to the fire of the climate crisis. And it disproportionally affects those most vulnerable in society, including women, children, and older persons. 03/09/2024 - 14:29 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-07/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-of-clean-air-for-blue-skies-%E2%80%9Cinvest-cleanairnow%E2%80%9D-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-09-06/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-high-level-presidential-summit-of-the-africa-food-systems-forum-2024-prepared-for-delivery Let me start by thanking H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the AGRA Board for the invitation to join you here today for this Africa Food Systems Forum 2024.  I am also grateful for the opportunity to be reunited with Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA, and the former special Envoy for the Food Systems Summit. She has been an incredible champion for Africa, for food systems, and for the women and men whose livelihoods depend on these systems.  06/09/2024 - 20:22 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-09-06/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-the-high-level-presidential-summit-of-the-africa-food-systems-forum-2024-prepared-for-delivery /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2024-09-05/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-xi-jinping-president-of-the-people%E2%80%99s-republic-of-china The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China. The Secretary-General recognized China’s valuable contributions to the United Nations and congratulated President Xi for the organization of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The Secretary-General and President Xi discussed topics of mutual interest, including the Summit of the Future. The Secretary-General expressed his readiness to strengthen cooperation with China in all pillars of the United Nations’ work. 05/09/2024 - 01:38 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2024-09-05/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-xi-jinping-president-of-the-people%E2%80%99s-republic-of-china /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-05/secretary-generals-remarks-forum-china-africa-cooperation-summit-delivered President Xi Jinping, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, I want to express my deep gratitude to the people and Government of the People's Republic of China, for the impeccable organization of this summit. We meet as geopolitical tensions are rising; conflicts are raging; and poverty and hunger are growing. The war in Ukraine is grinding on with global impacts – death and destruction reign in Gaza – and the people of Sudan are enduring untold suffering.  05/09/2024 - 00:51 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-05/secretary-generals-remarks-forum-china-africa-cooperation-summit-delivered /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-02/secretary-generals-remarks-workshop-artificial-intelligence-and-capacity-building-delivered Excellencies, Distinguished guests, dear friends,   I thank the Government of China for organizing this workshop on Artificial Intelligence and capacity building.   We stand at a pivotal moment.   Artificial Intelligence is developing at warp speed, transforming our world in ways we are only beginning to comprehend.   It has the potential to help rescue the Sustainable Development Goals and usher in a more durable and equitable future.   Recent research estimates that AI can help accelerate nearly 80 per cent of the SDGs. 02/09/2024 - 21:42 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-02/secretary-generals-remarks-workshop-artificial-intelligence-and-capacity-building-delivered /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-02/secretary-generals-video-message-the-bled-strategic-forum Download the video: 30/08/2024 - 09:28 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-02/secretary-generals-video-message-the-bled-strategic-forum /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-31/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-for-people-of-african-descent-scroll-down-for-french-version On the International Day for People of African Descent, we honour the immense and diverse contributions of people of African descent to the vast spectrum of human achievements, and their tireless efforts to create a better world. 30/08/2024 - 09:23 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-31/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-for-people-of-african-descent-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-30/secretary-generals-remarks-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-popular-consultation-delivered-0 Kalan Di-ak (Boa Noite). Viva Timor Leste! Parabens ba Povu Timor Leste! Excelensias, Belun doben sira, Ho laran haksolok no emosaun kle’an / tebetebes mak ha’u mai hasoru ita-boot sira / ohin iha fatin ida-ne’e 30/08/2024 - 09:13 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-30/secretary-generals-remarks-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-popular-consultation-delivered-0 /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-30/secretary-generals-remarks-timor-lestes-parliament Excellencies,   Excelências,    Mr President of the Republic, Madam President of the National Parliament Mr Prime Minister, Ladies and gentlemen Representatives of the International Community, Ladies and gentlemen ministers and deputies, Ladies and gentlemen Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, Excellencies. Senhor Presidente da República, Senhora Presidente do Parlamento Nacional 30/08/2024 - 04:38 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-30/secretary-generals-remarks-timor-lestes-parliament /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-29/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-against-nuclear-tests-scroll-down-for-french-version Across nearly eight decades, more than 2,000 nuclear tests were conducted at more than 60 sites around the world.   These tests left a legacy of destruction, rendering lands uninhabitable and creating long-term health problems for people.   Recent calls for the resumption of nuclear testing demonstrate that the terrible lessons of the past are being forgotten — or ignored. On the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the world must speak with one voice to end this practice once and for all.  16/08/2024 - 13:13 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-29/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-against-nuclear-tests-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/press-encounter/2024-08-29/deputy-secretary-generals-press-encounter-the-conclusion-of-her-visit-sudan Thank you very much, and we very much appreciate the one day that we have had here in the Port of Sudan, where we have met with the Government, and we have met with many stakeholders. The visit has been at the opportunity of the Government opening up the border in Adre. The humanitarian task that we have in Sudan has been very big. It has been one that we have been consistently supporting the Government to try to address the crisis in the country. 29/08/2024 - 17:32 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/press-encounter/2024-08-29/deputy-secretary-generals-press-encounter-the-conclusion-of-her-visit-sudan /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-28/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-the-occupied-west-bank The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the latest developments in the occupied West Bank, including Israel's launch today of large-scale military operations in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas governorates, involving the use of airstrikes, which resulted in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. He strongly condemns the loss of lives, including of children.   The Secretary-General calls for an immediate cessation of these operations.    28/08/2024 - 19:08 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-28/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-the-occupied-west-bank /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-28/secretary-generals-message-the-international-disability-inclusion-conference-harnessing-the-transformational-impact-of-para-sport I am pleased to send greetings to this International Disability Inclusion Conference ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. The Paralympic Games are anchored in the values of fairness, equality, opportunity and respect – and demonstrate the immense power of sport to unite people across cultures. The Games also shine a spotlight on the possibilities and potential of more than one billion persons with disabilities worldwide. 27/08/2024 - 14:39 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-08-28/secretary-generals-message-the-international-disability-inclusion-conference-harnessing-the-transformational-impact-of-para-sport /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-08-28/joint-press-encounter-the-prime-minister-of-timor-leste-kay-rala-xanana-gusm%C3%A3o-delivered Senhoras e senhores jornalistas, quero em primeiro lugar prestar uma sentida e emocionada homenagem ao primeiro-ministro Xanana Gusmão. Primeiro ao combatente, ao líder da resistência, que nas montanhas tudo sacrificou para conseguir a independência do seu país e do seu povo. Depois, pela resistência que revelou, preso na Indonésia, mas agindo sempre com grande determinação em defesa da independência do seu povo. 28/08/2024 - 23:30 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-08-28/joint-press-encounter-the-prime-minister-of-timor-leste-kay-rala-xanana-gusm%C3%A3o-delivered /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-08-28/secretary-generals-press-encounter-president-jos%C3%A9-ramos-horta-of-timor-leste-scroll-down-for-all-english Senhor Presidente, José Ramos-Horta, um defensor da paz. Aliás, é justamente um Prémio Nobel da Paz e é uma honra para mim estar aqui hoje ao seu lado. Jamais esquecerei as muitas horas em que trabalhámos juntos nos tempos da resistência e antes e depois do referendo. Os telefonemas a altas horas da noite, de madrugada, as longas e profundas conversas. As viagens de Vossa Excelência pelo mundo, recusando-se a desistir e defendendo a causa do povo timorense inspiraram líderes em toda a parte.  28/08/2024 - 07:26 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-08-28/secretary-generals-press-encounter-president-jos%C3%A9-ramos-horta-of-timor-leste-scroll-down-for-all-english