[French and English]

Bon après-midi mesdames et messieurs.

C’est un grand plaisir que d’être de retour à Tunis.

Je remercie le Gouvernement et le peuple tunisiens de leur hospitalité et de la chaleur de l’accueil qu’ils m’ont réservé, ainsi qu’à ma délégation.

Le Président de la Banque mondiale, Jim Yong Kim, et moi-même sommes à Tunis pour manifester notre soutien et solidarité au Gouvernement et au peuple tunisiens, tandis qu’ils continuent de progresser en vue d’une plus grande stabilité et d’une plus grande prospérité, malgré les difficultés auxquelles ils font face.

Au cours de notre visite, le Président Kim et moi-même avons eu des entretiens fructueux avec Son Excellence Monsieur le Président Beji Caid Essebsi, Son Excellence Monsieur le Premier Ministre Habib Essid, et le Président de l’Assemblée des représentants du peuple, Son Excellence Monsieur Mohamed Ennaceur.

Je tiens à remercier le Gouvernement tunisien d’avoir fermement soutenu et accueilli la Mission d’appui des Nations Unies en Libye, MANUL ou UNSMIL en anglais.

J’ai assisté aujourd’hui à une conférence très intéressante sur l’emploi, organisée par le Premier Ministre, et j’ai eu le grand honneur de m’entretenir avec des membres du Quatuor – ou Quartet- du dialogue national.

Pendant tous ces entretiens, j’ai été impressionné par l’attachement que j’ai constaté aujourd’hui en Tunisie aux valeurs démocratiques, aux droits de l’homme et au développement durable. La Tunisie est un partenaire très précieux de l’ONU et un modèle pour d’autres pays de la région.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

I would like to stress three points as I prepare to leave this great country.

First, the United Nations is Tunisia’s steadfast partner as it continues its democratic revolution. Tunisia’s values are the values of the international community and the 2030 Development Agenda. The United Nations Country Team will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Government on development, economic support, and many other areas.

Second, we have concrete proposals to support the Government’s efforts to tackle youth unemployment. This is a priority not only for Tunisia, but for the whole region; indeed it is a global problem. Two out of every five young people of working age around the world are either unemployed, or earning too little to escape poverty.

Last month, the United Nations launched a Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth. This is a partnership between governments, the United Nations, businesses, academic institutions and youth organizations, to create new opportunities for young people, and to help young men and women develop the skills they need.

My third point is that we understand the impact of the crisis in Libya on Tunisia’s economic and social development.

I was very much moved by my visit to the Bardo museum yesterday, where President Kim and I commemorated those killed in the horrific attack last year.

Yesterday evening I held talks with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord, Mr. Mousa Al Kony.

I commended the efforts of the Presidency Council in leading Libya’s democratic transition and expressed the deep concern of the international community over the worsening humanitarian situation and the expansion of Daesh. I expressed full support for the Presidency Council and encouraged them to exercise strong leadership.

I join the calls from across Libya and the region for the Presidency Council to move to Tripoli, if the security situation allows, and take all necessary measures to ensure the immediate peaceful and orderly handover of power to the Government of National Accord.

I urge all actors on the ground to cooperate and work with the Presidency Council to this end. I will be following this matter and will keep the Security Council informed of the situation. Those obstructing the political process should be held accountable.

I call on the House of Representatives to uphold its responsibilities in implementing all relevant provisions of the Libyan Political Agreement.

The Libyan people deserve peace, security and prosperity under a strong, united Government.

Tunisia’s continued support will be critical when the Government of National Accord is in place.

But terrorism poses a grave threat not only in Libya and Tunisia, but all around the world, as we have seen in the past days in Belgium, Iraq and Pakistan. We need a united, global approach if we are to combat it effectively.

The Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism that I presented to the United Nations General Assembly in January stresses the importance of addressing root causes.

We need action at the grassroots level to create trust between communities, to build accountable and inclusive institutions, to provide opportunities for young people, and to promote human rights and the rule of law.

We need a new global partnership against violent extremism. And I hope Tunisia will play a leading role.

Thank you. Merci. Shukran