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The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has urged governments and citizens worldwide to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy by tackling poverty, reducing inequality and building more inclusive societies.
Guterres, speaking on Saturday in a message to mark Nelson Mandela International Day, described the late South African leader as “a towering figure of peace, reconciliation, justice, and human rights.”
It’s worth noting that Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated annually on July 18th, the birthday of the late South African anti-apartheid icon and president.
According to an update on the UN website, it is a global call to action encouraging individuals to honour Mandela’s legacy by dedicating 67 minutes to community service, symbolising the 67 years he spent fighting for social justice.
The official theme for 2026 Nelson Mandela International Day is “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”.
Speaking in line with the theme, Guterres said Mandela was “also a clear-eyed champion of poverty eradication and equality. He knew that ending poverty is not an act of charity. It’s an act of justice. And a duty that belongs to us all.”
Furthermore, the UN chief stated that the world is facing widening inequality, with wealth increasingly concentrated among a small number of people while millions continue to struggle to meet basic needs.
“We live in a world where inequality is becoming entrenched.
“Where wealth accrues disproportionally for a lucky few, while many struggle to afford basic needs like food, water, shelter and education.
“And where years of poverty-fighting progress have been stalled by conflict, economic shocks and climate disasters,” he said.
He urged collective action to build “fair economies and inclusive societies” by investing in decent work, universal health coverage, quality education and social protection systems.
Guterres called for increased financing for developing countries, reforms to the international financial architecture and debt relief to support sustainable development.
UN Secretary-General also advocated for economies driven by renewable energy, saying such an approach would benefit both people and the planet.
While reflecting on Mandela’s enduring influence, Guterres said: “I have always been inspired by Madiba’s life and belief that when people stand together, nothing is impossible.
“The future is in our hands. Today and every day, let’s carry forward Mandela’s vision of a just, inclusive, equal and peaceful world.”
