SG/T/3035

Activities of Secretary-General in Germany, 7-8 June

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, arrived in Germany on Sunday morning, 7 June.

His first stop was in Bonn, where he held talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.  The Secretary-General commended Germany's leadership on issues including climate change and sustainable development.  They also discussed the situations in Ukraine, Libya and Gaza.

He also spoke at the official inauguration of the extension building of the World Conference Centre, also in Bonn.  In his remarks, he said that the Centre’s opening takes place at a crucial juncture for people and the planet.  (See Press Release SG/SM/16827.)

“2015 is a year for global action — a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put our world on more peaceful, sustainable and equitable footing,” he said.

The Secretary-General flew to Munich, where he attended a dinner hosted by Horst Seehofer, Minister-President of the State of Bavaria.  It was also attended by the "outreach partners" of the Group of 7, who are the leaders of Ethiopia, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia, as well as by the heads of international organizations such as the African Union Commission, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.

Early on Monday morning, 8 June, the Secretary-General travelled to Schloss Elmau, where he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.  He thanked Germany for its strong support for sustainable development, calling on the country to continue its leadership role in delivering on the post-2015 agenda as well as on climate change.

The Secretary-General also took part in meetings of the Group of 7.  (See Press Release SG/SM/16829.)

At a session on terrorism, he said that violent extremism is a fundamental threat to all countries and people, stressing that the international community’s response will be effective only through coordinated, multilateral action.

At a working luncheon for Group of 7 outreach partners, the Secretary-General urged Group of 7 countries to support the vision of a new, universal development agenda for the next 15 years that will integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, and place poverty eradication at the core.  (See Press Release SG/SM/16828.)

The Secretary-General and Madam Ban departed Germany that evening for Tajikistan, the first stop on a five-nation visit to Central Asia.

For information media. Not an official record.