The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal. Expressing his appreciation for Portugal’s compassionate and positive response to the arrivals of refugees and migrants in Europe, the Secretary-General underscored the need for solidarity and responsibility sharing at the global level. He also noted there would be a High-level Plenary of the General Assembly on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants in New York in September.

The Secretary-General commended Portugal’s role as a member of the Human Rights Council, as well as contributions to UN peacekeeping and Law of the Sea and ocean governance.  He urged the swift ratification by Portugal and the European Union of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. 

The Secretary-General and the President also discussed the political situations in Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Libya.