The sirens are sounding. Our planet is talking to us and telling us something. And so are people everywhere. Climate action tops the list of people’s concerns, across countries, age and gender. We must listen — and we must act — and we must choose wisely. 

We face a moment of truth. Now is the time to deliver…restore trust… [and] inspire hope. And I do have hope…humanity has shown that we are capable of great things when we work together. That is the raison d’être of our United Nations.

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.