UN Secretary-General calls for just peace in Ukraine and support for refugees and displaced people

He outlined urgent global challenges and laid out a broad vision for peace, reform and cooperation in 2026. 

“We must adhere to the UN Charter – fully and faithfully. No ifs … no ands … no buts. The Charter is a compact which binds us all. It is not an à la carte menu, it is prix fixe,” he underlined.

He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to peace efforts in Ukraine, mentioning that no effort should be spared to stop fighting, protect civilians and continue delivering humanitarian aid to the ones who need it the most. 

A year for solidarity 

The Secretary-General reiterated that sustainable peace requires addressing root causes of conflicts, from inequality and human rights violations to climate change, which he called a threat multiplier. 

He noted that humanitarian crises and cycles of violence continue to persist, trapping millions of families in cold, hunger and displacement, but it’s not a time for giving up. While long-term peace depends on sustainable development and the protection of human rights for all, it’s time for the states to make the first step and choose unity over division, humanity over violence and peace over hostilities.            

Call to action

In closing, the Secretary-General appealed to Member States to act with urgency and solidarity. 

“The forces of division and inequality are powerful, but so too is our capacity for solidarity and justice,” he said, noting that the UN Charter provides a compass, and peace with justice offers purpose and direction.

Full speech can be found here.