‘An assault on humanity itself’: Guterres pays tribute to 9/11 victims, survivors and first responders

Twenty-five years ago, the heinous terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 against the United States claimed thousands of lives and represented “an assault on humanity itself”, the UN chief said on Thursday.In a statement marking the anniversary, António Guterres paid tribute to victims, survivors and first responders who rushed to ground zero – the World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York – just a few miles south of UN Headquarters.“As we mark this somber occasion on 11 September, we remember the nearly 3,000 victims – from the United States and more than 90 countries – and stand with their families and loved ones,” said the UN chief.The UN continues to stand in solidarity with the people of New York City, the US, and with all those whose lives were affected by the attacks, he added.Mr. Guterres noted that 2026 also marks 20 years since Member States adopted the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy – reminding that the fight against terrorism is a shared, unfinished task.“As we pay tribute to the victims, let us renew our shared commitment to build a future free from terrorism.”Toll on human rightsIndeed, many countries made that commitment, strengthening security measures in t...