Brussels, 27 March 2018 – The President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, was in Brussels, Belgium, from 26 to 27 March. 

The President met with officials from European institutions, the Government of Belgium and the United Nations Country Team.

In his meeting with H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, President Lajèák discussed the importance of multilateralism as the core of the United Nations’ and European Union’s work. The two Presidents agreed that conflict prevention is central to the values of both organizations.

He also met with H.E. Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. They talked about the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the need for innovative solutions and modules for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the importance of conflict prevention.

In a meeting with H.E. Mr. Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, the topics for discussion were multilateralism, migration policies, and implementing and financing the SDGs.

The President also met with the United Nations Country Team and Heads of United Nations Agencies based in Brussels. He was briefed on the work of 22 specialized agencies and their strategic partnerships and dialogues with European institutions. The President highlighted the universality of the SDGs, and explained his priorities for the 72nd session. He also briefed on his upcoming events in New York, including his Youth Dialogue on 30 May and his event on financing for the SDGs to be held on 11 June.

With H.E. Mr. Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Belgium, he discussed the importance of addressing root causes of conflicts, and the United Nations’ role in preventing conflict and sustaining peace. They also spoke about the President’s High-level Meeting on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace to be held on 24 and 25 April in New York. Other topics included migration, from both regional and global perspectives; revitalization of the General Assembly; and United Nations reforms, including in relation to the Security Council.

The President will return to New York on 29 March.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Sharifa Alnesf, Communications Adviser to the President of the General Assembly, 1-917-367-3150, 1-646-585-8888, sharifa.alnesf@un.org