In its speed, scale and inhumane ferocity, the war in Gaza is the deadliest of conflicts... Six months on, we are at the brink: of mass starvation; of regional conflagration; of a total loss of faith in global standards and norms. It’s time to step back from that brink – to silence the guns – to ease the horrible suffering – and to stop a potential famine before it is too late.

People around the world are outraged by the horrors we are all witnessing in real time. I carry the voices of the vast majority of the world who have seen enough … It’s time to truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid. The choice is clear: either surge or starvation. Let’s choose the side of help – the side of hope – and the right side of history. I will not give up. And all of us must not give up in doing all we can for our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and around the world.

Our world is changing at warp speed. The multiplication of conflicts is causing unprecedented suffering. But human rights are a constant. They bring coherence to our search for solutions. And they are fundamental to our hopes for a world at peace … Protecting human rights protects us all.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have had two years of fighting, two years of suffering, two years of stoking global tensions and straining global relations. Enough. Scorning the Charter has been the problem. Honouring it is the solution. That means honouring the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders. It is time to recommit to the Charter and renew respect for international law. That is the path to peace and security – in Ukraine and around the world.

Peace can achieve wonders that wars never will. Wars destroy. Peace builds. But in today’s troubled world, building peace is a conscious, bold and even radical act.  It is humanity’s greatest responsibility. That responsibility belongs to us all – individually and collectively. In this difficult and divided moment, let’s meet that obligation for today and future generations. Starting here. Starting now. For my part, I can guarantee that I will never give up pushing for peace.