Press releases

It is a pleasure to be with you.  I want to thank the Republic of Korea, Norway, Ethiopia and IPI for organizing today’s discussions. I thank all of you for coming together to focus on how to ensure that the United Nations is well placed to address the peace and security challenges of today and tomorrow. There is a collective sense that our toolbox has not kept pace with the emerging and increasingly complex challenges we face in peace and security.

I am shocked to the core by the latest allegations of abuse by international forces in the Central African Republic. Our focus must be on the victims and their families. We are talking about women and young children who have been traumatized in the worst imaginable way.

Thank you for this opportunity to brief you on important steps being taken and measures being put in place to end the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable people by United Nations personnel sent to protect them.  For many people caught up in poverty and conflict around the world, the United Nations represents their final hope for a better future. When sexual exploitation and abuse are perpetrated on these individuals by the United Nations personnel authorised to protect them, it further victimizes and violates them and inflicts untold harm on already fragile communities. 

It is a true pleasure to be here today at the opening debate of this year’s session of the Special Committee.  I want to thank you, Chair, for the invitation to speak today, and I congratulate you and the members of the bureau on your re-election. This year’s debate is taking place at a moment of singular challenge, but also of singular opportunity.  The changing nature of conflict as we all know is placing great pressure on the international community and on all concerned.