Secretary-General Stresses Embracing Peace, Forgiveness, Tolerance, in Remarks to Anglican Communion Conference

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video remarks to the Lambeth Conference, at the General Assembly tribute to the memory of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, late President of the United Arab Emirates, in Canterbury, United Kingdom, today:

To my dear friend the Archbishop of Canterbury, dear friends, the Lambeth Conference is an opportunity to discuss and deliberate core — and indeed universal — lessons of faith and values.

This year’s gathering takes place amidst a series of challenges that cloud our world.  From conflicts — like the war in Ukraine — and climate catastrophe.  To mistrust and division.  To poverty, inequality and discrimination.  To the ongoing effects of a global pandemic.

These challenges resist easy solutions.  But, your inspiring theme summoning us to walk, listen and witness together offers a blueprint for progress.  It calls upon all people to bring values to life not through words, but through action and service to others.  And to deliver the economic, social and environmental justice that our world needs now, more than ever.

Economic justice — through an equal economic recovery, with all countries accessing the financing and debt relief they need to invest in their people at this critical time.

Social justice — by reducing inequalities, investing in the health, education and well-being of all people, and supporting the most vulnerable, including refugees, migrants and women and girls.

And environmental justice — by addressing the planetary emergency of climate change, and supporting all countries as they decarbonize their economies and build green futures.

Above all, there can be no justice of any kind without peace.  By embracing peace, forgiveness and tolerance — and more importantly, by living these values every day — we can move one step closer to the sustainable, equal and just world that every person deserves.  Thank you for being part of this essential endeavour.