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\u3000On my first day as Secretary-General of the United Nations, one question weighs heavily on my heart.<\/p>\n
\u3000How can we help the millions of people caught up in conflict, suffering massively in wars with no end in sight?<\/p>\n
\u3000Civilians are pounded with deadly force. Women, children and men are killed and injured, forced from their homes, dispossessed and destitute. Even hospitals and aid convoys are targeted.<\/p>\n
\u3000No one wins these wars everyone loses. Trillions of dollars are spent destroying societies and economies, fueling cycles of mistrust and fear that can last for generations. Whole regions are destabilized and the new threat of global terrorism affects us all.<\/p>\n
\u3000On this New Year\u2019s Day, I ask all of you to join me in making one shared New Year\u2019s resolution:<\/p>\n
\u3000Let us resolve to put peace first.<\/p>\n
\u3000Let us make 2017 a year in which we all \u2013 citizens, governments, leaders \u2013 strive to overcome our differences.<\/p>\n
\u3000From solidarity and compassion in our daily lives, to dialogue and respect across political divides… From ceasefires on the battlefield, to compromise at the negotiating table to reach political solutions…<\/p>\n
\u3000Peace must be our goal and our guide.<\/p>\n
\u3000All that we strive for as a human family \u2013 dignity and hope, progress and prosperity \u2013 depends on peace. But peace depends on us.<\/p>\n
\u3000I appeal to you all to join me in committing to peace, today and every day.<\/p>\n
\u3000Let us make 2017 a year for peace.<\/p>\n
\u3000Thank you.<\/p>\n