THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S PRESS ENCOUNTER WITH H.E. MR. DIDIER BURKHALTER, FEDERAL COUNCILLOR OF SWITZERLAND
Thank you very much. I am happy to be back in Switzerland. We just had a very meaningful session at the Annual Conference of Swiss International Cooperation.
As I said in my speech, Switzerland is a very valuable Member State of the United Nations supporting the United Nations, the global values of peace, development and human rights, this is the birth place of international humanitarian law.
During a very constructive working luncheon meeting with the Foreign Minister I thanked Federal Councillor for Switzerland very generous support for the renovation of Strategic Heritage Plan for the renovation the UN's headquarters in Geneva. He said this will contribute to understanding the past and preparing for the future. I fully agree and I thank you for your vision.
Switzerland may be a relatively new member of the United Nations, but it has made a deep impact on our work throughout the three pillars of the Charter and throughout history.
At this time when we see so much suffering, so many violations of international law, international humanitarian law I count on Switzerland to speak out for justice. In the face of intensifying conflicts, displacement and extremism, we must rally global solidarity.
In that regard on January 15th I presented my Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism and I am also grateful to the Swiss government to host an international conference to discuss further, more in detail, how we can put into action my Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.
Yesterday, leaders of humanitarian organisations and UN agencies appealed to citizens around the world to urge an end to the carnage in Syria. I strongly echo their call today. All parties must reach agreement on a ceasefire nationally and a path to peace.
Meanwhile, Syrians urgently need aid. I will co-convene a conference for Syria in London on February 4th. I call for sustained, generous contributions to help Syria and its neighbours at this desperate time.
I am grateful for the leadership of Federal Councillor Burkhalter in advancing many of our common goals.
With Switzerland’s support, last year the world accomplished major triumphs for multilateralism. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a bold, integrated and universal plan to end poverty everywhere. The Paris Agreement on climate change is a decisive step that will help us reach the Goals.
We are immediately setting to work to carry out these ambitious plans for our common future.
To succeed, we will need all partners – not just governments but civil society, the business community, advocates and individuals, especially young people.
I have just met with representatives of all these groups at the Davos Forum. They are looking to the UN for results, for delivery – and more than that, they are committed to helping us achieve that.
This was an excellent place for me to share my thoughts and vision with many business community leaders and civil society leaders at the start of such an important year.
I look forward to strengthening the UN’s partnership with Swiss Government and I count on your continuing support.
Thank you.
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Q: I have a question for the Secretary-General [inaudible] make a new effort in the Middle Eastern and African Region in development, so this is also a regional, the current situation and the goals from the UN [inaudible] From your point of view which was one of the most important steps for Switzerland to undertake to reach closer to the goals.
SG: It’s true that most of the conflicts and violence are taking place in Middle East and North Africa. Therefore, it is important for the international community to help them to address this political instability which caused a lot of violence and humanitarian disasters.
That’s one of the big challenges the United Nations has to address, but the United Nations cannot do it alone. We have to work with Member States and we need Member States’ strong support.
At this time, political leaders in the region should have good governance and should try to listen carefully to the challenges and aspirations of their people and try to address the root causes of their problems.
Of course the United Nations and the international community are ready to help them, but there is a limit. Unless these kinds of conflicts are addressed by themselves, local issues should be addressed locally.
We are very much concerned about the lack of funding and resources. That’s why for the first time in the history of the United Nations we are holding a World Humanitarian Summit Meeting. But in between -and after that- we will try to have many occasions to discuss how we can help them politically, and in terms of security and humanitarian assistance. We count on Swiss continuing support.