Mesdames et Messieurs, bonsoir,

Cette conférence de presse est peut-être la dernière que je tiendrai à Genève, après dix années passées au poste de Secrétaire général de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.

Merci de votre intérêt et de votre mobilisation pendant cette période.

J’ai fait, en tant que Secrétaire général, plus de 40 déplacements en Suisse.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As Secretary-General, I have visited Switzerland more times than any other country in the world.

This Palais des Nations is my second home. I thank Switzerland for generously supporting our Strategic Heritage Plan, which is securing these premises for future generations.

Geneva is the UN’s starting point to lead the world’s response to humanitarian suffering, human rights abuses, pandemics, labour problems and more.

Geneva also generously hosts important mediation processes.

Many of you have been closely following the Syrian talks. Thank you for keeping the spotlight on this catastrophic crisis.

My Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, has been doing everything possible to impress on the parties – and influential countries – that there can be no military solution.

We are out of words to express our outrage at the carnage, especially in Aleppo. The brutality is unrelenting. I strongly condemn the deliberate campaign against civilians and health workers and humanitarian personnel trying to save them. The parties have first obligation, countries with influence are also responsible for ending the attacks.

All must act for the thirteen and a half million Syrians who desperately need help – and for stability in the region and our world.

I told the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Executive Committee this morning that wilful and blatant disregard of international humanitarian law is creating large-scale suffering and long-term damage. This must be met with a forceful, global response.

In Yemen, the humanitarian situation is alarming. Four out of five Yemenis need assistance to survive – more than 21 million people.

All parties must cease all military activities. Targeting civilian areas is a violation of international humanitarian law.

Tens of thousands of people are living in famine conditions in Borno and Yobe states. Nearly a quarter of a million children suffer severe acute malnutrition in Borno state alone and 4.5 million people face acute food insecurity across the four affected states.

We cannot forget the Chibok girls. I call for their immediate release, along with all the others who are denied their basic human rights.

Our humanitarian appeal for the response to north-east Nigeria is only 25 per cent funded.

I call again for international political and financial support to meet people's urgent needs and achieve long-term development across the Lake Chad Basin region.

Around the world, I am deeply alarmed about the growing number of reprisals against those cooperating with the United Nations on human rights. Such acts undermine the effectiveness and credibility of the United Nations, and are an attack on the Organization itself.

These courageous individuals are often our only eyes and ears in extremely tough environments – and we owe them our best possible support.

I have decided, in consultation with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to designate my new Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Mr. Andrew Gilmour, to lead our efforts within the UN system to put a stop to all intimidation and reprisals against those cooperating with the United Nations on human rights. This will foster constructive dialogue with Member States and others.

We live at a time of rising xenophobia. I am extremely concerned by its manifestations in Europe. This continent must stay true to its values – and reject discrimination.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Last week in Colombia, I witnessed the signing of the Peace Agreement. I have seen the results of yesterday’s plebiscite. We would have hoped for a different result but I am encouraged by the commitment expressed by President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC-EP Commander Timoleón Jiménez. To support them, I have urgently dispatched my Special Representative, Mr. Jean Arnault, to Havana to continue his consultations.

In Cartagena, I witnessed the profound desire of the Colombian people to end the violence. I count on them to press ahead until they achieve secure and lasting peace.

Globally, we have seen that progress is possible. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change show that leaders can tackle sensitive issues and advance together.

The Paris Agreement was signed by 175 States parties on April 22nd. That was the record number of countries to sign any multilateral agreement in history. The previous record was set in 1982, when 119 countries signed the Convention on the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in Jamaica.

Now, the Paris Agreement has 191 States parties – only six have yet to sign. We are very close to entry into force. We have crossed the threshold of 55 ratifications, by September 21st and I expect we will cross the threshold of 55 per cent global greenhouse gas emissions very soon.

The United Nations is forging consensus and mobilizing solidarity. Let me be clear: there is a difference between ‘consensus’ and ‘unanimity’.

At the United Nations, countries should not insist on unanimity when all we need is consensus for progress.

The United Nations sometimes operates like an executive board with 193 members. That is far more than a typical executive board – especially because each of those 193 countries thinks they are the chairman.

Too many good ideas needlessly die from this insistence on unanimity.

That is why I have called for the President of the General Assembly to explore, with my successor, the establishment of a high-level panel to find practical solutions that improve decision-making at the United Nations.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

At this time of great peril and promise, I am inspired by the work of the United Nations in Geneva. It shows our collective potential to overcome challenges and build a better future for all.

Thank you, thank you very much.