ANTONIO GUTERRES

Syria has become the great tragedy of the century—a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history.

We're not yet in a multipolar world. We are in a chaotic world.... We live in a world where the dangers are real for all of us.

Refugees are not terrorists. They are the victims of terrorists .... In my experience people with terrorist intent do not choose the reugee route to enter a country. There is too much scruiteny and takes too long. They use ofher ways.

I do not like homosexuality. It bothers me that the World Health Organziation has removed it from its list of mental illnesses.

It is completely unacceptable that there be UN forces committing human rights violations such as rape and sexual violence. All of us together— [member] states and UN—must do our utmost to ensure that any kind of action of this type is severely punished,

If the United States disengages from many issues confronting the international community it will be replaced.

Clearly, the response to terrorism and violent extremism must respect human rights and comply with international law. That is not just a question of justice but of effectiveness.

When we see so many conflicts multiplying, the only way to allow the international community to be able to address those conflicts, the only way to allow the international community to act boldly, is with unity of the countries of the region, able to serve together and in the same universal principles.

When two people are together, they are not two but six: what each one is, what each one thinks he or she is, and what each one thinks the other is. And what is true for people is also true for countries and organisations.

One of the problems with the Security Council is that there are vetoes, and they do not allow us to do what might be justified from the point of view of sanctions.

The future of the U.N. will be determined by its readiness to change and adapt.

When we achieve human rights and human dignity for all people - they will build a peaceful, sustainable, and just world.

We have to transcend our differences to transform our future.

We are making it very clear to all countries that nothing justifies terrorism. There are no political reasons that justify it; there is no cause, no grievance that justifies it. And we will do everything possible to make sure that all countries of the world understand that.

Plastic waste is now found in the most remote areas of the planet. It kills marine life and is doing major harm to communities that depend on fishing and tourism.

Preventing conflict means going back to basics - strengthening institutions and building resilient societies.

If resources become scarce, people tend to fight for them. This is increasing the number of people on the move and the number of people forced to move. They're not refugees, according to the legal definition, but they represent a major humanitarian and human rights challenge, as well as a major challenge for world politics.

Migrants make huge contributions to both their host countries and countries of origin. They take jobs that local workforces cannot fill, boosting economic activity. Many are innovators and entrepreneurs.

I'm not a multilateralist against anybody. I'm a multilateralist because I believe in a multilateral order.

The United Nations needs to be nimble, efficient, and effective.

Climate change is moving faster than we are, but we don't give up because we know that climate action is the only path.

You see in Islam, you see in Christianity, you see in Africa, in different religions, in Buddhism and Hinduism, there is a strong commitment to refugee protection.

Global coherence demands a permanent strategic cooperation culture at all levels.

Our world needs to move from managing crises to preventing them in the first place. Too often, the world responds too late and too little.

The fact that societies are becoming increasingly multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious is good. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.