Stockholm, Sweden, 7 May 2018 – The President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, arrived in Sweden on 6 May.
In Stockholm on 7 May, the President delivered the keynote address at the 2018 Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development, which was co-hosted by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Stressing the importance of conflict prevention, he said, “We are losing too many lives. Conflict is the worst thing that can happen to a human being. Yet, for too many, it is part of their everyday. And so, there is a moral case – which we cannot ignore.” He also participated in a panel discussion at the Forum, entitled: “The Urgency and Logic of Investing in Violent Conflict Prevention.”
While in Stockholm, the President met with H.E. Ms. Isabella Lövin, Minister for Development Cooperation and Climate and Vice Prime Minister of Sweden. They discussed the links between climate change and security; United Nations reform; the Sustainable Development Goals; migration; oceans; and the President’s events on peacebuilding and sustaining peace, water, and financing for development. The President told the Minister that, when it comes to contributions to the international community, Sweden is a role model.
He also held a meeting with H.E Ms. Margot Wallström, Sweden’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. They spoke about multilateralism, migration, youth and United Nations reform.
In a meeting with Mr. Jan Eliasson, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and former President of the United Nations General Assembly, President Lajčák discussed their common focus on people; the crucial importance of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration; financing for the Sustainable Development Goals and climate action; United Nations reform; and youth.
The President departed Sweden on 7 May and headed to Rwanda.
***
For media inquiries, please contact Brenden Varma, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, 1-212-963-7238, 1-347-556-3433, varmab@un.org.
