President Carter exemplified the leadership we need
Dear friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we learned the passing on December 29 of former President Jimmy Carter, our fellow Elder and a man of great integrity. During his time as president and beyond, Jimmy Carter championed human rights, democracy, and peace. He was a true beacon of hope and a shining example of what it means to be a compassionate and selfless leader.
President Carter was a founding member of The Elders in 2007 and transitioned to the role of Elder Emeritus in 2016. During his time as an active member of The Elders, he participated in numerous delegations around the world. From Sudan to Moscow, Myanmar or North Korea, President Carter used his influence to promote peace and dialogue. He also focused on the Middle East, making multiple trips to the region to support efforts for a two-state solution and Palestinian reconciliation.
One of Jimmy Carter’s key beliefs was that no matter who we are, we can all make a difference in the world. Through his work with the Carter Center, he has been instrumental in eradicating diseases such as Guinea worm. These efforts have saved millions of lives and have helped improve the quality of life for many others.
I was impressed by his humility and dedication to his faith and principles when I met with him in New York as the UN Secretary General. Jimmy Carter was never afraid to speak his mind and stand for his convictions, whether it was promoting energy saving measures or addressing the potential dangers of an apartheid-like system between Israelis and Palestinians.
In many ways, President Carter serves as a powerful example of the kind of leadership we need today to go beyond short-term political agendas and deliver lasting, compassionate policies that uphold human rights, international law, and a shared vision for humanity’s future.
This year will mark the 80th year of the establishment of the United Nations. While we should acknowledge and celebrate the UN’s accomplishments, we must also make sure it is relevant and fit for purpose for the world of 2025. In this regard, in line with my fellow Elders, I strongly advocate for the reform of the UN system, including that of the Security Council, and for a woman with high leadership and qualifications to be appointed as the next UN Secretary-General, through a transparent process.
As Jimmy Carter emphasized during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech: “We must adapt to change while holding onto our core values.“
This is something we can all learn from and strive towards.
Thank you for your continued support,
Ban Ki-moon
06/01/2025
