Guterres Calls for Peace Through Reconciliation at Normandy Forum
Summary
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered remarks at the Normandy for Peace Forum in Caen, France, calling on the international community to draw on the power of reconciliation and collective commitment that rebuilt Europe after World War II to address current geopolitical upheavals, wars, inequality, and the climate crisis. The Secretary-General emphasized that peace requires defending international law, protecting human rights, maintaining dialogue, and building trust between peoples.
What changed
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a speech at the Normandy for Peace Forum urging the international community to draw on Europe's post-war reconciliation experience to address current global crises. The Secretary-General called for defending international law, protecting human rights, maintaining humanitarian access, and building lasting peace through multilateral dialogue and collective commitment.
This statement represents a ceremonial diplomatic address with no binding legal effect on any parties. It does not create compliance obligations, impose penalties, or establish regulatory requirements. The remarks serve as advocacy and political guidance rather than enforceable policy.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates on international peace initiatives
- Track multilateral cooperation efforts on geopolitical challenges
Archived snapshot
Apr 10, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Press Release
- Secretary-General
- Statements and Messages
SG/SM/23081
9 April 2026
Draw on Power of Reconciliation, Collective Commitment That Raised Europe from Ruins to Tackle Current Crises, Secretary-General Tells Normandy for Peace Forum
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message, translated from French, for the Normandy for Peace Forum “In a world in turmoil, what hope is there for peace?”, in Caen today:
At a time when geopolitical upheavals, wars, inequality and the climate crisis are shaking our world to its core, peace can seem more fragile than ever.
In this turmoil, hope is not a refuge, but a duty: the duty to defend international law against the law of power; to protect human rights against abuses; and to uphold human dignity against indifference. Peace is not merely the silence of guns. It is built through justice, solidarity, humanitarian access and trust between peoples. It demands the courage to listen and to compromise.
That is the very essence of multilateralism: preventing conflict, alleviating suffering, maintaining dialogue and building a lasting peace.
Normandy knows the cost of war. It also knows the power of reconciliation and collective commitment, which raised Europe from the ruins and inspired the world. As we face the challenges of our time, let us draw on that memory to find the courage to act for peace.
For information media. Not an official record.
Related changes
Get daily alerts for UN Press Releases
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from UN.
The plain-English summary, classification, and "what to do next" steps are AI-generated from the original text. Cite the source document, not the AI analysis.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when UN Press Releases publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.