Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. António Costa, President of the European Council The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. António Costa, President of the European Council. Mr. Guterres thanked Mr. Costa for his support for the United Nations and multilateralism. They discussed cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union on various global issues. They also exchanged views on the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The Secretary-General and the President of the European Council discussed the latest developments regarding Artificial Intelligence. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/readouts/2026-03-18/readout-of-the-secretary-generals-meeting-he-mr-antonio-costa-president-of-the-european-council

https://x.com/un_spokesperson/status/2034652129017618588?s=46&t=Pi3Ch0eiPNZFgaf-YI_d1w

Statement by the Secretary-General on death of Jürgen Habermas I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jürgen Habermas, a giant of philosophy and true public intellectual. No philosopher influenced my own thinking throughout my life in politics as much as Jürgen Habermas. His contributions across political-legal thought, sociology, communication studies, argumentation theory, language and rhetoric, informed and shaped our understanding of the nature and value of democratic societies. I was particularly struck by his ideas on the distinguishing feature of a modern democracy as the permanent interflow of communication between political decision makers and civil societies. Today more than ever, we need this constant interaction — this two-way street between politics and people — to better understand the challenges we face, and to forge effective solutions. I offer my deepest condolences to the Habermas family and everyone who was influenced by his thinking and inspired by his moral clarity. Full statement: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-03-15/statement-the-secretary-general-the-death-of-jurgen-habermas

Highlights of today's noon briefing [16 March 2026]: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/highlight/2026-03-16.html

Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Mr. Guterres thanked Ms. von der Leyen for the Commission’s support for the United Nations. They exchanged views on the cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union, and the broader state of multilateralism. They also discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the Secretary-General’s recent trip to Lebanon, as well as the war in Ukraine. The Secretary-General and the President of the European Commission also discussed UN reform. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/readouts/2026-03-18/readout-of-the-secretary-generals-meeting-he-mrs-ursula-von-der-leyen-president-of-the-european-commission

Highlights of today's noon briefing [17 March 2026]: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight

https://x.com/un_spokesperson/status/2033538180989776247?s=46&t=Pi3Ch0eiPNZFgaf-YI_d1w

Statement by the Secretary-General - on the passing of Nicholas Haysom I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nicholas Haysom – a principled lawyer, tireless peacemaker, and steadfast champion of the values of the United Nations. Mr. Haysom devoted his life to justice, dialogue, and reconciliation. He played a central role in South Africa’s democratic transition as Chief Legal and Constitutional Adviser to President Nelson Mandela. He brought that same commitment to the United Nations, serving in leadership posts in some of the world’s most complex and fragile settings, most recently as the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan. Full statement: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-03-18/statement-the-secretary-general-the-passing-of-nicholas-fink-haysom

Secretary-General António Guterres met with Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus and Leader of the Greek Cypriot community. They discussed the way forward on the Cyprus issue. They also discussed the situation in the Middle East. Readout: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/readouts/2026-03-18/readout-of-the-secretary-generals-meeting-he-mr-nikos-christodoulides-president-of-the-republic-of-cyprus-and-leader-of-the-greek-cypriot-community

The Secretary-General António Guterres met with H.E. Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of Belgium. The Secretary-General thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for Belgium’s support to the United Nations in a broad number of areas, including ongoing support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The Secretary-General and the Deputy Prime Minister discussed a number of international crises, especially in the Middle East, and the broader challenges currently faced by multilateralism. Mr. Guterres also updated Mr. Prévot on the ongoing UN80 Initiative, as well as the financial situation of the United Nations. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/readouts/2026-03-18/readout-of-the-secretary-generals-meeting-he-maxime-prevot-deputy-prime-minister-and-minister-of-foreign-affairs-european-affairs-and-development-cooperation-of-belgium