The Secretary-General met today in Bern with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ms. Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and members of the Swiss government. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the significant contribution made by Switzerland to the work of the United Nations in the decade since its accession, including in the field of preventive diplomacy, mediation, peace-building, humanitarian assistance and human rights.

The Secretary-General discussed the situation in Syria, as well as remaining challenges in reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and the post-2015 development agenda. They exchanged views on ways to promote sustainable energy for all and make progress towards a legally-binding framework on climate change.

They also discussed the reform of the United Nations and the Strategic Heritage Plan for the renovation of the Palais des Nations.