SG/T/2902

Activities of Secretary-General in Mozambique, 20-22 May

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Maputo on Monday morning, 20 May, after a flight from Johannesburg that followed an overnight flight from Moscow through London.

The Secretary-General first met the United Nations country team and held a town hall meeting with United Nations staff.  He then transferred to the National Assembly, where he met the President of the National Assembly, Verónica Nataniel Macamo Dhlovo, and leading parliamentarians from the ruling party and opposition.

Later, the Secretary-General took part in a round-table event on the Millennium Development Goals and the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.  He said that developed nations needed to alter unsustainable patterns of consumption and production and cut greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet.  Developing nations needed to find a sustainable development path that reduces poverty and increases well-being for all without further overburdening the planet, he said.  (See Press Release SG/SM/15035.)

That evening, the Secretary-General took part in a discussion on extractive industries — how best to manage Mozambique’s natural resources — with Government officials and representatives from business, civil society and the diplomatic corps.

On the morning of Tuesday, 21 May, the Secretary-General met President Armando Emílio Guebuza at the President’s Office.

Afterwards, he gave a press conference with Foreign Minister Oldemiro Marques Balói, at which he commended Mozambique for having ranked among the top 10 fastest developing economies in the world over the past decade.  But, he noted there are still many development hurdles and challenges.  He also spoke about recent clashes in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying the violence underscored the importance of implementing the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Great Lakes region.

Next, the Secretary-General had a meeting with members of Mozambique's National Human Rights Commission.  (See Press Release SG/SM/15037.)

Then, he travelled to Samsão Muthemba Secondary School to meet students and discuss his UNiTE campaign to end violence against women and girls.

Later, the Secretary-General transferred to the ISRI Institute of International Relations,where he delivered a lecture and answered questions from students.  He said Mozambique was on the move and Africa on the rise.  He said his eyes were wide open to the obstacles, but that he was full of optimism.  He urged the students to combine idealism with pragmatism, and recognize that opportunity and risk go hand in hand.  (See Press Release SG/SM/15038.)

That evening, the Secretary-General attended a dinner hosted by the President of Mozambique at the Ponta Vermelha State House.

Early on Wednesday, 22 May, the Secretary-General left Mozambique on a flight to Kinshasa, where he arrived the same morning.

For information media. Not an official record.