António Guterres

In many ways, we are at ground zero for the world we need to build — a world of respect for international law, the UN Charter and the power of multilateralism, a world that protects civilians, a world that advances human rights, a world where leaders live up to the values that they have promised to uphold. That, too, is a struggle — but it is one that we must win for the sake of every country, community and person around the world.

Also quoted in "'The world sees you' UN chief tells Ukrainians, pledging to boost support" UN News (28 April 2022), 2022

I am pleased that more than 100 civilians have successfully been evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, in an operation successfully coordinated by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. I hope the continued coordination with Kyiv and Moscow will lead to more humanitarian pauses that will allow civilians safe passage away from the fighting and aid to reach people where the needs are greatest.

"Statement by the Secretary-General – on Ukraine" (3 May 2022), 2022

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion one month ago, the war has led to the senseless loss of thousands of lives; the displacement of ten million people, mainly women and children; the systematic destruction of essential infrastructure; and skyrocketing food and energy prices worldwide. This must stop. ... A cessation of hostilities will allow essential humanitarian aid to be delivered and enable civilians to move around safely. It will save lives, prevent suffering, and protect civilians.

Press conference – on the war in Ukraine (28 March 2022), 2022

We have a choice, collective action or collective suicide.

Jesus Jiménez "U.N. chief warns that humanity faces 'collective suicide' over climate crisis.", The New York Times, 18 July 2022., 2022

We are seeing Russian military operations inside the sovereign territory of Ukraine on a scale that Europe has not seen in decades. Day after day, I have been clear that such unilateral measures conflict directly with the United Nations Charter. The Charter is clear: “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” The use of force by one country against another is the repudiation of the principles that every country has committed to uphold. This applies to the present military offensive. It is wrong. It is against the Charter. It is unacceptable. But it is not irreversible. I repeat my appeal from last night to President Putin: Stop the military operation. Bring the troops back to Russia. We know the toll of war. With deaths rising, we are seeing images of fear, anguish and terror in every corner of Ukraine. People – everyday innocent people – always pay the highest price.

"Statement by the Secretary-General – on Ukraine" (23 February 2022), 2022

With our bottomless appetite for unchecked and unequal economic growth, humanity has become a weapon of mass extinction. We are treating nature like a toilet. And ultimately, we are committing suicide by proxy

while addressing the participants at the opening of the 15th session of the UN biodiversity conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada. Vishwa Mohan. "Humanity has become a weapon of mass extinction: Antonio Guterres at COP15", timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 7 December 2022., 2022

Today, Ukraine is an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. I witnessed that very vividly today around Kyiv: the senseless loss of life, the massive destruction, the unacceptable violations of human rights and the laws of war. It is vital that the International Criminal Court and other UN mechanisms conduct their work so that there can be real accountability.

2022

The only outcome to all this is more suffering, more destruction, and more horror as far as the eye can see. The Ukrainian people are enduring a living hell — and the reverberations are being felt worldwide with skyrocketing food, energy and fertilizer prices threatening to spiral into a global hunger crisis.

2022

This is one of the fastest scale-up operations we have ever undertaken, and we are very much aware that not everything is perfect. Whatever we can provide pales in comparison to the needs. I am here to pledge that we will boost our efforts across the board — coordinating with the Ukrainian Government every step of the way.

2022

This is not a typical humanitarian UN operation in a developing country, with lots of problems of governance and lots of difficulties. Ukraine is a country with a government and a system of support to its citizens, and so the role of the UN is not replace that system, it is to support the Government to support the people of Ukraine.

2022

When climate change is running faster than we are, everything must be done to defeat climate change.

Said in a visit to Nigeria in 2019. Recorded in an Instagram post on UN Environment, 2019

Climate change is the defining issue of our time – and we are at a defining moment. We face a direct existential threat.

António Guterres, "Secretary-General's remarks on Climate Change", 10 September 2018., 2018

The dramatic problems of today's complex world can only inspire a humble approach.

Quoted in "UN General Assembly elects Guterres as secretary-general", Chicago Tribune (13 October 2016), 2016

We can't deter people fleeing for their lives. They will come. The choice we have is how well we manage their arrival, and how humanely.

"U.N. Refugee Chief: Europe’s Response to Mediterranean Crisis Is ‘Lagging Far Behind’", Time (23 April 2015), 2015

There are ways to what is our major battle in the world. To defeat climate change - to save the planet.

Said in a visit to Nigeria. Recorded in an Instagram post on UN Environment