I am pleased to be back in the Netherlands.

As you have seen earlier I had the great honour of being awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. 

I thank Minister [Bert] Koenders, and the Government and people of the Netherlands, for this generous recognition of the importance of the work of the United Nations, and for their warm welcome and hospitality.

I look forward to seeing His Majesty King Willem Alexander in person this afternoon and tonight.

Minister Koenders and I have had the opportunity to discuss a number of issues of concern to the Netherlands and the United Nations.

These include the threat of terrorism and extremism, the situations in Syria, Mali, the large movements of migrants and refugees towards Europe and elsewhere, our efforts to combat climate change, and how best to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Responding to the world’s major challenges and seizing the unprecedented opportunities of our era requires international partnership and cooperation. 

The Government of the Netherlands is an influential member of the international community and a strong supporter of the United Nations. 

This Friday, many Heads of State and Government will travel to New York to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change.

I thank the Netherlands for its leadership and support heading up to this landmark accomplishment.

Countering climate change is a key component of sustainable development.

The Netherlands also provides important contributions to peacekeeping and peacebuilding, including in Mali, South Sudan and the Middle East.

I look forward to the continuing support from the Dutch government. I am particularly grateful to the Netherlands for hosting the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, which are the pillars of the global justice system. I take it as a great privilege to participate in celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the ICJ and the opening of the new premises of the ICC and am grateful for strong support of the Dutch government to this international peace and justice system.

I also deeply appreciate the important contributions the Netherlands makes to official development assistance, even during economically difficult periods.

The Netherlands provides an example of global solidarity.

It is a beacon for inclusiveness, diversity, international cooperation and civil liberties.
Holding the Presidency of the European Union, the Netherlands now has an even more important role to play in ensuring collective action on the challenges related to the large movements of refugees and migrants towards Europe.

I urge the Netherlands to continue to take the initiative in forging a joint European approach to address these challenges, based on solidarity and in line with international norms.

The continuing increase in anti-migrant and anti-refugee rhetoric and violent attacks against these communities in different parts of Europe is deeply worrying.

These actions divide communities, sow instability and betray the values and human rights standards that underpin international solidarity.

There is a need for open, honest and constructive dialogue to avoid further polarization.
A sustainable solution requires increased political will to address the root causes of migration in countries of origin.

This means addressing conflict, human rights abuses and a lack of opportunities.
Current policies are clearly not adequate.

It is time for the international community to develop a global response to mass population flows based on solidarity and global responsibility sharing.

I am working to bring countries together behind a more humane and coordinated approach that will serve the common interest of all nations.

I count on the support of the Netherlands for the UN’s efforts to bring world leaders together to discuss the way forward, including at the World Humanitarian Summit meeting in Istanbul next month and at the High-Level Plenary of the General Assembly on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants in September this year.

We need the continued support of the Netherlands to build a world of peace, dignity and opportunity for all.

Thank you. Dank u.

Q: [Dutch National Television] Mr. Secretary-General, it’s obvious that the Dutch want a seat on the Security Council. Could you elaborate on the chances of that bit?

SG: I’m aware of the Dutch candidacy for the non-permanent seat of the Security Council and as you know very well, and this is a matter for Member States to decide. But I also know that the Netherlands Government and people have been showing exemplary examples in promoting international peace and security, and contributing greatly to international peace and security by sending peacekeeping operations to Mali, South Sudan and elsewhere. And [it is] also one of the exemplary countries in providing development assistance. I sincerely hope that the Dutch Government will continue to show such leadership. Thank you.

Q: [ANP Dutch press agency] The Dutch government is thinking about continuing the mission in Mali. The mission is ending this year in Mali. Did you press Minister Koenders to continue to stay in Mali and what would be the consequence if the Netherlands would leave Mali?

SG: I am not here to press. I am sure that the Dutch Government and people will continue to show their great political leadership, international and global leadership in helping Malian people to maintain and restore, and maintain political and security stability in that country. In this regard, I am particularly grateful to His Excellency Foreign Minister, for [he] himself served in Mali as a Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Many years in very difficult situations – I think his leadership and contribution as Special Representative of the United Nations helped a great deal and it has been a great pleasure and honour for me to work with him.

During today’s meeting, I, of course, expressed my appreciation and expressed my sincere desire - myself and United Nations [are] expecting continued support of the Dutch Government, including aviation assets and many other important support. Thank you.

Q: [Reuters] Two brief questions - one is if you could give a very brief response to the attack in Kabul on a government security office that has killed 29 people. And secondly, you mentioned earlier today about accountability for war crimes in Syria with the division on the Security Council of the Permanent Five, no consensus and Syria not being a member of the International Criminal Court. How do you suggest the best way to achieve accountability for those widespread crimes in Syria? Thank you.

SG: First of all, I’d like to express my deepest condolences for the victims, and their families and friends, and I condemn strongly these terrorist attacks for the people in Afghanistan. There is no justification whatsoever attacking civilian people as well as even security people. We must fight against these terrorist attacks. The international community must be united in working together.

That is why I have presented the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism in January this year. It was welcomed by the General Assembly in February, and I expect that Member States will have a good review session on United Nations global counterterrorism strategy which was adopted 10 years ago by unanimous consensus. At that time, I also expect that this Plan of Action to Prevent the Violent Extremism will be adopted by a consensus as a basis of international community working together.

Second question …?

Q: [Question on war crimes in Syria]

SG: Yes. I have already two, three times recommended to the Security Council that those perpetrators committing crimes against humanity should be referred to the International Criminal Court, ICC - it’s now in the hands of the Security Council.

As you know, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has also recommended this action to the Security Council. I have also warned Syrian authorities that, whoever it may be, those people who are using food as a tool of war should be accountable as war criminals, [for] war crimes. The international community should take decisive action on this to reduce further sacrifices of innocent people. Thank you.