The message from the international community to those on the warpath must be clear: seizing power through military force is a losing proposition ... I call on the Taliban to immediately halt the offensive and to negotiate in good faith in the interest of Afghanistan and its people. 

It is my intention to serve with humility … I will give it my all to ensure the blossoming of trust between and among nations, large and small, to build bridges and to engage relentlessly in confidence building. I will also seek to inspire hope that we can turn things around, that the impossible might be possible.

I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel…[and] stress that Israeli and Palestinian leaders have a responsibility beyond the restoration of calm to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict.

This is truly a pivotal year for humanity’s future…let us all commit to act to stabilize our climate and to end our war on nature.

Women need to be front and centre of the recovery from the pandemic…as a matter of economics; of efficiency and effectiveness; of social and community resilience,