Opening remarks by H.E. Mr Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th session of the General Assembly, at Informal General Assembly Briefing on the reports and allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving international forces in the Central African Republic
13 May 2016
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, further to our meeting on 5 February, and given the gravity of the issue at hand, I am pleased to be able to convene the second informal briefing on this subject.
Like all of you, I was appalled by the deeply disturbing accounts and reports of sexual abuse and exploitation involving international forces, including UN peacekeepers.
As the Secretary-General has said, One terrible act can wipe out a thousand noble sacrifices.
Such acts are unacceptable under any circumstances and it is absolutely critical that proper and swift accountability is ensured and that the immediate needs of victims are addressed as a matter of priority.
Making zero tolerance and zero-impunity a reality is the responsibility of both the Secretariat, troop contributing, police contributing or other member states alike.
I am glad therefore that we will now hear briefings on the latest developments as well as the efforts and plans of the Secretariat on this matter from Mr. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, and Ms. Jane Holl Lute, Special Coordinator on improving the United Nations response to sexual exploitation and abuse.