Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, it’s a great pleasure to see you.

As you know, I returned on Monday from my trip to Africa and have just briefed the Security Council. I briefed the Security Council, particularly focusing on my travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in the region, like Rwanda, Uganda [and Ethiopia]. Before that, I visited Mozambique, so this time, I have visited five African countries. Before that, as you may know, I had a visit to the Russian Federation, having a meeting with President [Vladimir] Putin.

During my visit to three countries in the region -- DRC, Rwanda and Uganda -- the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, travelled together.

The Security Council is seized with many issues, including of course the latest efforts to achieve a political solution in Syria. But today, I’d like to focus on my trip to Africa.

The main purpose of my visit to Africa was to facilitate the early and effective implementation of the Framework Agreement on Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, which was signed by 11 neighbouring countries on 24 February.

As my Special Envoy, Mary Robinson, has said, it is a Framework of Hope.

The agreement gives the people of eastern DRC their best chance in many years for peace, human rights and economic development.

It is also a foundation for stability and progress for the entire Great Lakes region.

Dr. Jim Yong Kim and I visited the Heal Africa hospital while visiting Goma to meet the many women and girls who had been brutally raped by armed groups, including Congolese armed forces.

They, and the people lining the city streets, had a clear message: no more war, no more abuse, no more impunity, and give us peace. I have travelled many countries, many conflict zones, many humanitarian crisis areas, where I was very much humbled and moved by what I have seen there.

Thousands of people came to the streets, following me, following our car and people sometimes, trying to block our convoys; but of course, they were not threatening crowds, they were friendly crowds. They were all holding papers, small papers, handwritten: “No more wars. Give us peace. No impunity.” All these were very much compelling messages from them to the United Nations, and I was so humbled, thinking what and how the United Nations could and should do more for these people. That has really strengthened my resolve to work for these people in the Congo.

Equally, the same experience which I have felt in the past was when I visited Juba, before South Sudan was independent. They were yearning, expressing their aspirations for independence. This kind of feelings, I have felt during my visit to Goma. This was my second visit to Goma and the second to the Heal Africa hospital; but it was quite a different experience for me at this time.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A peace deal must deliver a peace dividend -- health, education, jobs and opportunity.

That is why World Bank President Dr. Jim Yong Kim has pledged a new $1 billion to support social safety nets, cross-border trade, energy and essential infrastructure for the people in the region.

These investments will boost the work both our organizations are doing to support sustainable economic growth in the Great Lakes region.

The region has enormous potential for those with the vision and courage to invest – governments and private investors alike.

On energy alone, geothermal, methane and hydro resources mean the DRC and the Great Lakes region could be a powerhouse.

There is no reason the DRC cannot follow the development path of countries like Mozambique, which emerged from bitter civil war to achieve peace and economic growth. Mozambique has been able to enjoy peace and stability during the last 20 years. If you look back 20 years, Mozambique was affected by civil wars and their crises.

Across Africa we see the same story: where there is sustained peace and good governance, economic growth and prosperity will follow.

These changes do not happen overnight – but they are happening now.

I am determined to do everything in my power to encourage and nurture this new African narrative, all the while knowing that progress can be fragile and that serious challenges remain.

I will have further talks on these matters when I attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development this weekend, TICAD V.

Looking further ahead, tomorrow my high-level panel of eminent persons on the post-2015 development agenda will release its report. I will meet with President [Susilo Bambang] Yudhoyono of Indonesia, representing the co-chairs; he will come with the final recommendations and we will go to the General Assembly and President Yudhoyono will report to the General Assembly on this final report of the high-level panel of eminent persons for the post-2015 development agenda.

Even as you cover today’s immediate crises, I hope you will also pay attention to this effort, which aims to put in place the solid foundation for a peaceful tomorrow.

Again, I thank you very much for your attention.