/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/2025-08-12/secretary-generals-message-international-youth-day-scroll-down-for-french-version On International Youth Day, we celebrate the determination, creativity and leadership of young people everywhere. This year's theme – Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond – reminds us that global progress begins in communities.  And in every corner of the world young people are leading the way. They are driving sustainable development, building more inclusive communities, forging peace, and demanding a fairer, greener and more just future. 01/08/2025 - 13:25 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-12/secretary-generals-message-international-youth-day-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-12/secretary-generals-message-the-launch-of-the-third-cohort-of-his-youth-advisory-group-climate Young people's fearless advocacy has been pivotal in the fight against the climate crisis. This is why I am proud to announce the launch of the third cohort of my Youth Advisory Group on Climate – and to expand its membership from 7 to 14. That means more space for young voices at the table, more space for youth leadership and more space to shape climate action. To young people everywhere, don’t give up.   See below for more information on the Third Cohort of his Youth Advisory Group on Climate:  12/08/2025 - 06:58 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-12/secretary-generals-message-the-launch-of-the-third-cohort-of-his-youth-advisory-group-climate /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-11/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-colombia-scroll-down-for-spanish The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the passing of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay in Colombia. He sends condolences to his family and to the people of Colombia.     The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the 7 June attack on the Senator to be fully investigated and for those responsible to be brought to justice. He urges Colombia's authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure peaceful national elections, including guarantees for the safety and security of all candidates. * 11/08/2025 - 14:08 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-11/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-colombia-scroll-down-for-spanish /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-09/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples-scroll-down-for-french-version Download the video: 26/07/2025 - 14:32 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-09/secretary-generals-message-the-international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples-scroll-down-for-french-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-09/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-armenia-and-azerbaijan The Secretary-General welcomes the comprehensive “Joint Declaration” signed on Friday by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia together with President Donald J. Trump of the United States as an important milestone in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.  09/08/2025 - 10:24 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-09/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-armenia-and-azerbaijan /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-09/secretary-generals-message-the-nagasaki-peace-memorial-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-atomic-bombing-of-nagasaki                                                                                              On this solemn day, we mark 80 years since Nagasaki was devastated by an atomic bomb. We remember the tens of thousands who perished in an instant, and we grieve with those who lost loved ones. We also honour the survivors — the hibakusha. While their numbers grow smaller each year, their courage and testimony have become an eternal moral compass for our world, one that will forever point the way to peace. 08/08/2025 - 23:41 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-09/secretary-generals-message-the-nagasaki-peace-memorial-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-atomic-bombing-of-nagasaki /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-08/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-gaza The Secretary-General is gravely alarmed by the decision of the Israeli Government to "take control of Gaza City". This decision marks a dangerous escalation and risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, and could further endanger more lives, including of the remaining hostages.   08/08/2025 - 12:50 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-08/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-gaza /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-08/secretary-generals-video-message-the-11th-general-conference-of-mayors-for-peace Download the video: 07/08/2025 - 22:27 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-08/secretary-generals-video-message-the-11th-general-conference-of-mayors-for-peace /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-06/secretary-generals-message-the-hiroshima-peace-memorial-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-atomic-bombing-of-hiroshima Eighty years ago, the world changed forever. In a single moment, Hiroshima was engulfed in flames. Tens of thousands of lives were lost. A city was reduced to ruins. And humanity crossed a threshold from which there could be no return. On this 80th anniversary, we remember those who perished. We stand with the families who carry their memory. 05/08/2025 - 15:35 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-06/secretary-generals-message-the-hiroshima-peace-memorial-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-atomic-bombing-of-hiroshima /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-08-05/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-mohammad-reza-aref-first-vice-president-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Mohammad Reza Aref, First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the margins of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held in Awaza, Turkmenistan.  The Secretary-General and Mr. Aref discussed regional issues of mutual interest. The Secretary-General welcomed the holding of the ceasefire between Iran and Israel and called on all concerned to resolve issues regarding Iran's nuclear programme through diplomacy.   05/08/2025 - 09:49 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-08-05/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-mohammad-reza-aref-first-vice-president-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-08-05/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-shavkat-mirziyoyev-president-of-the-republic-of-uzbekistan The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Secretary-General and the President discussed cooperation between the United Nations and Uzbekistan, as well as regional developments. The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Uzbekistan’s initiatives aimed at promoting multilateralism and strengthened regional cooperation and its support for the United Nations.   05/08/2025 - 09:58 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-08-05/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-mr-shavkat-mirziyoyev-president-of-the-republic-of-uzbekistan /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-05/secretary-generals-remarks-the-third-un-conference-landlocked-developing-countries-bilingual-delivered-scroll-down-for-all-english Your Excellency, President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, I thank the Government and people of Turkmenistan for your warm welcome and leadership in hosting this important conference. We gather today to reaffirm a fundamental truth: Geography should never define destiny. Yet for the 32 Landlocked Developing Countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, geography too often limits development opportunities and entrenches inequality. 05/08/2025 - 03:09 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-05/secretary-generals-remarks-the-third-un-conference-landlocked-developing-countries-bilingual-delivered-scroll-down-for-all-english /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-08-05/secretary-generals-remarks-the-press-conference-the-third-united-nations-conference-landlocked-developing-countries Ladies and Gentlemen of the press,   It is always a pleasure to be in Turkmenistan.   And I thank President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan for their warm welcome.   Your hosting of this important global gathering is a testament to the country's commitment to international cooperation and sustainable development.   For the elements of the press of Turkmenistan, I have to say, as I mentioned this morning, that I've been coming to Turkmenistan for almost two decades.   05/08/2025 - 06:53 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-08-05/secretary-generals-remarks-the-press-conference-the-third-united-nations-conference-landlocked-developing-countries /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-03/secretary-generals-remarks-the-centre-for-sustainable-development-goals-for-central-asia-and-afghanistan-delivered Distinguished President Tokayev and my dear friend, Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a profound honour to join you today. We have just signed the host country agreement for the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan. The Centre represents the opening of a new chapter – for the region and for our collective journey towards the Sustainable Development Goals. 03/08/2025 - 05:14 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-03/secretary-generals-remarks-the-centre-for-sustainable-development-goals-for-central-asia-and-afghanistan-delivered /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-08-03/readout-of-the-secretary-generals-meeting-he-mr-kassym-jomart-tokayev-president-of-the-republic-of-kazakhstan The Secretary-General met on Sunday with H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Secretary-General and the President discussed cooperation opportunities between the United Nations and Kazakhstan, and witnessed the signing of the Host Country Agreement for the UN Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, formalized pursuant to a decision of the General Assembly. 03/08/2025 - 14:34 United Nations Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2025-08-03/readout-of-the-secretary-generals-meeting-he-mr-kassym-jomart-tokayev-president-of-the-republic-of-kazakhstan