Ich freue mich sehr, als Generalsekretär zum neunten Mal Deutschland besuchen zu können.

[It is a pleasure to be making my ninth visit to Germany as Secretary-General].

Madam Chancellor, it is a great honour to visit Germany again and it is a great honour for me personally and for the United Nations to be bestowed upon this Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit from the Federal Government of Germany. I regard it as a recognition not only of me but of the many thousand UN staff who are working day and night for humanity. And I am much more committed and much more motivated with this recognition to work for humanity. I thank you very much.

Germany and Chancellor Merkel are among the world’s strongest supporters and partners of the United Nations.

For me, as Secretary-General, it has been quite fortunate and lucky and happy to have worked with Chancellor Merkel and the German Government and people. I know that you will continue to serve this great country but this is my last year as Secretary-General. I count on your continuing support for the United Nations in the future.

Throughout my tenure as Secretary-General, I have been able to depend on Chancellor Merkel as a champion of UN causes and a source of wisdom and generous support. Germany has been a strong advocate for human rights, including women’s rights—gender equality. And Germany has been a very major force for sustainable development. Germany has been a strong anchor of global security. For all this, I am very much grateful for your leadership.

Chancellor Merkel and I just had a very good meeting. She has explained several important issues.

I thanked her for her leadership on climate change.

We discussed the situation in Ukraine, sharing concern about the continued human suffering and the urgent need to implement the Minsk agreements. Chancellor Merkel's personal resolve and commitment to bring peace and stability to Ukraine are not only invaluable but also testimony of her diplomatic skill and perseverance.

We agreed on the need for the Syrian Government and opposition to engage in good faith when talks resume tomorrow in Geneva. The conflict is about to enter its sixth year. The people of Syria need their country back.

We also talked at length about the massive movements of people who are fleeing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere and arriving in Europe.

Chancellor Merkel has shown great statesmanship and compassion in trying to ensure an effective, rights-based approach to this challenge.

At a time when many want to build walls and turn their backs on people in need, she has stood firm in defence of international law, human rights and our common humanity.

At a time when some would prefer to take the easier route, she has shown that for a true leader, difficulties are not an obstacle to doing the right thing. She is a true moral voice, not only of Europe but in this world. She has shown great leadership and responsibility as a global leader.

I am concerned that many European countries are adopting increasingly restrictive asylum policies. Extreme right-wing and nationalistic political parties are inflaming the situation when we need to be seeking solutions – harmonious solutions based on shared responsibility. I am deeply worried by growing anti-migrant and anti-refugee rhetoric, and by violent attacks against these communities.

Such actions divide communities, sow instability and betray the values and standards that underpin the European Union. There is a need for dialogue with, and within, affected communities to avoid further polarization.

As we strive to save lives, crack down on human trafficking and address the genuine challenges faced by countries of transit and destination, we must also do more to look at the root causes in countries of origin.

Current global policies are clearly not adequate. The United Nations is convening a Summit on September 19th aimed at bringing countries together behind a more humane and coordinated approach. I am asking world leaders to keep acting responsibly based on international human rights and international humanitarian law, and based on shared responsibility. I am urging them to show their compassionate leadership as global leaders of this time.

I look forward to Germany’s continued leadership on this and other challenges. Chancellor Merkel, thank you again for your steadfast support and leadership at this time of test.

Thank you.