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Secretary-General Statements

Remarks to Security Council Open Video-Teleconference on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Implications of COVID-19

2 Jul 2020 | New York
I thank the German Presidency for convening this important discussion.   The COVID-19 pandemic continues to profoundly affect peace and security across the globe.   The consequences can be seen even in a number of countries traditionally seen as “stable”. 

Statement at the Security Council briefing on Mali

11 Jun 2020 | Security Council
[Scroll down for French version]

Remarks to the Security Council open debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict

27 May 2020 | Security Council
I thank the Government of Estonia for convening this debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.   Protecting civilians must be a joint effort by Governments, civil society and international organizations. I look forward to hearing the views of Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Mr. Peter Maurer, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross.  

Remarks to the Africa Dialogue Series on COVID-19 and Silencing the Guns in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

20 May 2020 | UN Headquarters
[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.

Remarks to Security Council Briefing on Children in Armed Conflict: Introducing Practical Guidance on the Integration of Child Protection Issues in Peace Processes

12 Feb 2020 | Security Council
[All-English version; scroll down for bilingual, as delivered version]

Remarks at High-level meeting on Peacekeeping Performance

6 Dec 2019 | UN Headquarters

Secretary-General's remarks at Security Council Briefing on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Strengthening Partnerships for Successful Nationally-owned Transitions [as delivered]

18 Jul 2019
United Nations special political missions and peacekeeping operations are some of our most effective tools to promote and maintain international peace and security. But they are temporary. We are strengthening our focus on moments of transition, when our missions are reconfigured or leave a country.  

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the situation in Abyei

16 Jul 2019
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General is saddened by the incident that occurred earlier today at the Amiet Market in Abyei, during which two United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) peacekeepers, conducting a routine patrol, came under attack by unknown assailants. One peacekeeper was killed while the other was wounded. Five civilians from Abyei region were also killed in the incident.  

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General - on Sudan

5 Jul 2019
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General is encouraged by the agreement reached between the Forces for Freedom and Change and the Transitional Military Council on 5 July towards the establishment of transitional governing bodies.  He congratulates the African Union and Ethiopia for their role in mediating the Sudanese-led talks and commends the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for its support to the process.  

Secretary-General's message on International Day in support of victims of torture

26 Jun 2019
The prohibition of torture is absolute – under all circumstances.   Yet this core principle is undermined every day in detention centres, prisons, police stations, psychiatric institutions and elsewhere.   I am encouraged that we are moving towards universal ratification of the United Nations Convention against Torture, currently ratified by 166 States. Ensuring that national laws and practices are in line with the Convention is essential for moving the prohibition of torture from principle to practice.