Published on: 2026-07-20
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 20, 2026 United Nations
In his address to the General Assembly on the occasion of Nelson Mandela International Day, the UN Secretary-General stated that the world is facing deepening poverty, inequality, and humanitarian crises, and also called on states to reorient resources from military expenditures towards peace and development. The message from the UN chief at the solemn session of the General Assembly was read out by his Chief of Staff, Earl Courtney Rattray.
At the beginning of his address, the Secretary-General paid tribute to the first democratically elected president of South Africa, emphasizing that Nelson Mandela became a symbol of peace, justice, dignity, and human rights. The UN chief also shared personal impressions from visiting Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island, where he spent most of his 27 years of imprisonment. According to António Guterres, he was always struck by the South African leader’s resilience, his ability to forgive, and Mandela’s commitment to reconciliation.
Fighting poverty
The Secretary-General noted that this year’s theme of Mandela International Day is dedicated to one of the key issues of our time – poverty and inequality. According to him, wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a narrow circle of people globally, while hundreds of millions of residents of the planet face difficulties accessing food, water, healthcare, and education.
António Guterres emphasized that armed conflicts, economic upheavals, and climate disasters threaten to undo the progress made, while racism, discrimination, and xenophobia remain a global problem.
The UN Secretary-General expressed concern over the reduction in international aid amid rising global military spending: “It is deeply wrong that we spend more on means of destruction and death than on tools for development and peace.”
According to him, such an imbalance is not only morally unacceptable but also economically short-sighted and destabilizing.
The Secretary-General recalled the well-known words of Nelson Mandela himself: “Poverty, like slavery and apartheid, is not a natural condition. It is created by humans and can be overcome and eradicated by human actions.”
Elaborating on this thought, the UN chief emphasized that many modern problems are the result of political choices, and today humanity quite often takes wrong steps. At the same time, Mandela’s legacy, according to him, shows the possibility of a different path.
The necessity of economic changes
According to the Secretary-General, victory over poverty and inequality requires a structural overhaul of economies and social systems. He called for stimulating economic growth in the poorest countries, expanding access to quality education and healthcare, strengthening social protection systems, reforming the international financial architecture, and increasing support for developing states.
António Guterres paid special attention to the development of renewable energy, ensuring universal access to digital technologies, achieving gender equality, and protecting human rights without any discrimination.
In conclusion of his message, the Secretary-General emphasized that progress never happens automatically and requires collective action.
“Let’s continue to bring Mandela’s vision of a just, inclusive, equitable, and peaceful world to life,” urged the UN chief.
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