António Guterres is the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations, who took office on 1 January 2017.
Ten days ago, I called for a rapid ceasefire around the world for diplomatic action, to help create the conditions for life-saving assistance, and to bring hope to some of the most vulnerable places in the COVID-19 pandemic.
This call was based on a basic recognition: there is only one fight in our world today: our usual fight against COVID-19.
We know that the pandemic has profound social, economic and political consequences for foreign peace and security.
We see this, for example, in postponed elections or limitations on the ability to vote, persistent restrictions on movement, rising unemployment, and other points that can contribute to discontent and emerging political tensions.
In addition, terrorist or extremist teams may take advantage of the uncertainty created by the spread of the pandemic.
However, the call for a ceasefire resonates around the world.
The appeal has been made through an increasing number of Member States, some 70 to date, regional partners, non-State actors, civil society networks and organizations and all United Nations messengers of peace.
Religious leaders – adding Pope Francis – have added their ethical voices in favor of a global ceasefire, as well as the online popular mobilization of citizens.
To cite just one example, an appeal launched through Avaaz has already garnered the support of more than a million people. To all, I express my deep gratitude.
Today, I’m posting an update on the influence of the global call for a ceasefire.
Several parties to the standoff have expressed acceptance of the appeal.
As detailed in the update, they come with parts of the standoff in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Libya, Myanmar, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen.
But there is a huge distance between statements and deeds, between translating words into peace on the ground and in people’s lives.
There are enormous difficulties in putting it into effect because conflicts have intensified for years, mistrust is deep, with many saboteurs and many suspicions.
We know that any initial gain is fragile and reversible.
And in many of the peak critical situations, we have not noticed a decrease in fighting, and some conflicts have even intensified.
We want physically powerful diplomatic efforts to address those challenges.
To silence the guns, we will have to raise our voices for peace.
In all these situations, my Special Representatives and Special Envoys, and in some countries, the Resident Coordinators, with the whole Headquarters and, when necessary, my private participation, have interaction with the actors in the confrontation to help move towards the ceasefire. on the ground as a prerequisite for lasting peace.
Let me give 4 examples of this intense diplomatic effort.
In Yemen, despite a ceasefire by the government, Ansar Allah and many other parties, in addition to the Joint Forces Command, the fighting has intensified.
My Special Envoy is working on arrangements to convene the parties to discuss control of the COVID-19 crisis and a national ceasefire mechanism.
I call on all governments and movements and their supporters to end this catastrophic clash and humanitarian nightmare, and to come to the negotiating table.
In Syria, where the first COVID-19-related deaths have now been reported, my Special Envoy called for a “comprehensive and immediate” national ceasefire in the country to allow for a comprehensive COVID-19 effort.
The Idlib ceasefire in the past brokered through Turkey and the Russian Federation holds.
But a permanent national ceasefire is imperative to allow expanded humanitarian aid to all those who have suffered for a decade.
In Libya, the Government of National Accord and Field Marshal [Khalifa] Haftar’s Libyan National Army welcomed calls to avoid fighting. However, clashes have escalated dramatically on all fronts, hampering efforts to respond well to COVID-19.
I urge any of the parties, and all other parties directly involved in this confrontation, to stop hostilities without delay to allow the government to address the risk of COVID-19, ensure unhindered access to humanitarian assistance and, in achieving the ceasefire, have discussed under the auspices of the United Nations.
Finally, in Afghanistan, when fighting intensified on March 26, he announced that a 21-member team, adding five women, had been formed for direct negotiations with the Taliban.
The Government and the Taliban have also established technical contacts for the initial release of prisoners.
The time has come for the government and the Taliban to halt hostilities as COVID-19 looms over the country. I pledge my full support.
In all these incredibly sensitive circumstances, as in others, I make a special appeal to all countries with influence over the parties to the conflict to do their utmost to make the ceasefire a reality.
I call on everyone who can make a difference to make a difference: to urge and pressure fighters around the world to lay down their arms.
There is a possibility of peace, but we are of it. And the need is urgent. Typhoon COVID-19 is now reaching all those theaters of conflict.
The virus has shown how temporarily it can cross borders, devastating countries and disrupting lives.
The worst is yet to come.
Therefore, we will have to do everything we can to find the peace and unity that our world desperately desires to combat COVID-19.
We will have to mobilize every ounce of power to defeat it.
Download the update on the Secretary-General’s call for a ceasefire
Sign the online petition to the Secretary-General’s ceasefire call!
“You see, we’re not making these paintings to feel better. This kind of traditional perception of what a benefactor is. We make these paintings because we are completely convinced that it is not necessary, in today’s world, for so many other people to revel in discomfort, for so many other people to delight in hardship, for so many other people to see their lives and livelihoods at risk. “
Dr. David Nabarro has committed his life to global health. After a long career that has taken him from the horrors of war-torn Iraq to the devastating aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, he still feels spurred into action across the enormous inequalities in the world. to medical care.
“What helps me stay up at night are the inequalities endemic in our world. . . We see a lot of unnecessary suffering. “
The Ballet Manguinhos, named after its favela in Rio de Janeiro, returns to the level after a long absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its interpreters are 250 young people and adolescents from the favela. The ballet’s organization provides social assistance in a network where poverty, hunger and teenage pregnancy are ongoing problems.
The pandemic has put many other people to the test, and news hounds are no exception. The coronavirus has waged a war not only against the lives and well-being of other people, but has also generated countless deceptions and clinical lies.