THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S REMARKS TO THE PRESS AT THE WORLD EDUCATION FORUM (Incheon, 19 May 2015) - As Delivered
Thank you very much.
I am delighted to be here with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. She has brought her great vision for education to the agency’s critical work around the world.
I thank His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Hwang Woo Yea and the Korean Government for their hospitality in hosting this important conference.
This is especially meaningful for me. I am a proud Korean – and a global citizen. The engine that drives progress in Korea is education. And I count on Korea to help the United Nations rev up this engine around the world.
This World Education Forum is our chance as a human family to take stock of the Education for All targets and the Millennium Development Goals set in 2000.
We are welcoming education ministers from across the world and other key partners to chart a new transformational education agenda.
It may seem like a ‘soft’ issue – but education is urgently needed to address major threats in our world.
Violent extremists are targeting schools. They know that education is our best weapon against hateful ideologies. We will not back down.
I am now preparing a Plan of Action to mobilize action to address violent extremism. I will present this to the UN General Assembly later this year.
Meanwhile, we are doing everything possible to stop the tragedy engulfing Syria. My Special Envoy continues to meet with Syrian and international interlocutors. We must urgently help the Syrian people reach a political solution to end the conflict.
On Yemen, we are racing to meet humanitarian needs while advancing the political process. It is regrettable that the parties have resumed fights after the 5-day humanitarian pause which ended yesterday. I urge the parties to address all the pending issues through political dialogue. I reaffirm my willingness to convene a political dialogue in Geneva as soon as possible with the participation of all the parties.
We also need a political solution to the situation in Libya, which is contributing to the migration crisis.
I am deeply alarmed by the tragic deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean, the Andaman Sea here in this region and beyond.
Countries must uphold the obligation of rescue at sea and maintain the prohibition against refoulement.
In response to the situation in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca, I and other UN officials have been speaking by phone over the last few days with the region’s leaders to emphasize their obligation to protect human lives and uphold international humanitarian law.
I am encouraging them to participate in the upcoming regional meeting in Bangkok, which will be held on May 29th, on the migrant situation. I hope the meeting will lead to comprehensive outcomes at the regional and international levels based on compassion.
The United Nations will continue our humanitarian relief operations and we stand ready to assist all efforts to address the situation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Peace and security on the Korean Peninsula has always been one of my top priorities as Secretary-General of the United Nations. I believe in the power of dialogue. To address all the pending issues between the two parts of Korea, dialogue is the only way forward.
All parties would benefit from a renewed engagement and commitment to genuine dialogue. It is essential for building trust and promoting inter-Korean relations.
The United Nations is working to support all efforts to facilitate peace and stability.
This process can be expanded through practical cooperation. In this regard, I want to announce that I am going to visit the Kaesong Industrial Complex this Thursday.
The Kaesong project is a win-win model for both Koreas. It symbolizes a good way to tap the advantage of South and North Korea in a complementary manner. I hope my visit will provide positive impetus to further develop it and expand to other areas.
My visit is also significant as the first by the United Nations Secretary-General to set foot on the DPRK in more than 20 years since the last visit by the former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
As I said this morning, I reiterate my willingness to do whatever it takes to contribute to improving the inter-Korean relations and promoting reconciliation and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Globally, the United Nations is working to address hunger, poverty and climate change through our important priorities for this year.
First, we will complete the Millennium Development Goals – the largest antipoverty campaign in history.
Second, we will adopt a new vision for sustainable development, including a set of sustainable development goals to create a life of dignity for all.
Third, the Climate Change Conference in Paris in December should adopt a new, universal climate agreement.
Education is critical to all of these important initiatives.
I am confident that the success of this Forum will help put the world on a path to greater social inclusion, shared growth and lasting peace.
Thank you.
Questions and Answers to come.
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