The Secretary-General held a virtual meeting today with H.E. Mr. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as part of his virtual visit to the United Kingdom to mark the 75th anniversary of the first Session of the UN General Assembly, which took place in London’s Central Hall, in Westminster.   

The Secretary-General expressed his solidarity with the United Kingdom during this difficult period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and thanked Prime Minister Johnson for the UK’s political and financial leadership in the global fight against COVID-19. They discussed the response to the pandemic, including in the context of the UK’s G7 Presidency in 2021 and they had a frank exchange about what more can and should be done to overcome the many global challenges we face.   

The Secretary-General thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s steadfast support for the United Nations and for the UK’s commitment to climate action. COP26, under the leadership of the United Kingdom, was highlighted as an important opportunity to galvanize ambition and ensure a global green recovery.   

They also discussed the situations in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Cyprus.  

Finally, the Secretary-General and the Prime Minister spoke about the importance of worldwide girls’ education, an issue at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals.