Activities of Secretary-General in Mauritius, 8-10 May
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, arrived in Port-Louis, Mauritius, from the Seychelles, in the late afternoon of Sunday, 8 May.
He first met with the President of Mauritius, Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim, and discussed the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, efforts to combat climate change and, in particular, the situation of the small island developing States. Later, he attended a State banquet hosted by Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius.
The next day, Monday, 9 May, after a breakfast with the United Nations country team, the Secretary-General held a meeting with Prime Minister Jugnauth and the cabinet. They discussed challenges facing middle-income countries, as well as the plight of the small island developing States. In a joint press encounter after that meeting, the Secretary-General said that he was in Mauritius to highlight the important leadership role that the country plays among small island developing States – as well as its contributions in areas such as climate action, promoting the ocean economy, and advancing sustainable development. He also noted the country’s achievements in socioeconomic development and in consolidating democracy.
The Secretary-General then spoke at an event on the Sustainable Development Goals where he said that small island developing States magnify the issues of sustainable development due to unique vulnerabilities. (See Press Release SG/SM/17737.)
Later, the Secretary-General addressed the Congress of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, welcoming its members’ commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes — a fundamental goal of the United Nations. (See Press Release SG/SM/17738.)
Following a lunch, hosted by President Gurib-Fakim, the Secretary-General received an honorary degree from the University of Mauritius. He spoke to students about the need to advance sustainable development, as well as to empower women and young people. (See Press Release SG/SM/17741.)
In the early evening, the Secretary-General held courtesy calls with Keshoe Parsad Matadeen, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Maya Hanoomanice, Speaker of the National Assembly; and Paul Raymond Berenger, Leader of the Opposition. He then attended a dinner hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo.
On Tuesday morning, 10 May, the Secretary-General visited two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage sites linked to the history of slavery in Mauritius, Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne Cultural Landscape.
Following a lunch with Xavier-Luc Duval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and External Relations, the Secretary-General and his wife left Mauritius for Madagascar.