Press releases

The Srebrenica genocide was the worst atrocity crime on European soil since the Second World War. Twenty-five years later, we pay tribute to the thousands brutally murdered — and pledge to never forget them. We share the grief of their families, including those whose family members are still missing. And we re-affirm our solidarity with the survivors. A quarter century ago, the United Nations and the international community failed the people of Srebrenica. As former Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, this failure will “haunt our history forever”.

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs, Permettez-moi de commencer par exprimer toute ma solidarité avec les pays et les peuples du Sahel. La situation dans la région demeure l’une des priorités et préoccupations majeures de l’Organisation des Nations Unies. Le Sahel a déjà trop souffert. Depuis quelques mois, la pandémie du COVID-19 vient s’ajouter aux risques liés au changement climatique, à la précarité économique et à la dégradation continue de la situation sécuritaire

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[English version; scroll down for bilingual as delivered and French versions] I am pleased to be able to join you in this time of unprecedented crisis to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on peace and security in Africa. The pandemic has exposed the fragility of our societies.