Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a great pleasure to see you all once again.

Before I take your questions, I would like to highlight three challenges that affect the wide sweep of our work today.

First, we need to keep up momentum on the development agenda and climate change.

In April, a record-number of Member States signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Now we need to bring that Agreement into force this year.

I thank G7 leaders for committing to this goal.

I welcome the announcement two days ago by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India that he will join this effort.

To help advance the process, I will convene an event during the September high-level week of the General Assembly for countries to deposit their instruments of ratification.

The second challenge I would point to is the need to build on the progress of the World Humanitarian Summit which was held in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Summit generated nearly 3,000 new commitments. Now we need those who attended, and those who did not, to follow through with robust leadership.

Third, we must do more to resolve major threats to international peace and security.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me say a few words about some situations which are taking place now.

In Syria, as my Special Envoy said this morning in Geneva, the time is not yet mature for a third round of talks. We don’t want to have talks for the sake of talks. At the same time, I want to underline the great urgency of the deadline of early August set by the co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group - ISSG. We have to have at least the beginnings of a serious agreement by then. Without a political horizon and discussions on the transition, a further escalation is all too likely. We need unhindered humanitarian access and increased protection of civilians; that is the law, and must not be a bargaining chip. Withholding humanitarian assistance to civilians in desperate need is a war crime. I also call for the release of prisoners and detainees, thousands of whom are held in utterly inhumane conditions.

Hundreds of Syrians and other refugees and migrants continue to die in the Mediterranean while making perilous journeys out of war and persecution.

I have listened to the stories, hopes and fears of many refugees in recent months, to understand this challenge based on their first-hand experience.

Today I am announcing that I will visit the Greek island of Lesbos next week, to assess the situation and to show my solidarity.

As we formulate a global response to adopt at the September 19th high-level meeting on large-scale movements of refugees and migrants, I look forward to continuing to work with Member States to meet this test of our common humanity.

Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to say a few words about Yemen. All parties to this conflict must do far more to protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law and find a political solution that will end the violence and destruction.

My latest report on children and armed conflict has documented the harrowing situation of Yemen’s children.

There has been fierce reaction to my decision to temporarily remove the Saudi-led Coalition countries from the report’s annex.

This was one of the most painful and difficult decisions I have had to make.

The report describes horrors no child should have to face.

At the same time, I also had to consider the very real prospect that millions of other children would suffer grievously if, as was suggested to me, countries would de-fund many UN programmes. Children already at risk in Palestine, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen and so many other places would fall further into despair.

It is unacceptable for Member States to exert undue pressure. Scrutiny is a natural and necessary part of the work of the United Nations.

I stand by the report. We will assess the complaints that have been made, but the content will not change.

I fully understand the criticism, but I would also like to make a larger point that speaks to many political challenges we face. When UN peacekeepers come under physical attack, they deserve strong backing by the Security Council.

When UN personnel are declared persona non grata simply for carrying out their jobs, they should be able to count on firm support from the Member States.

And when UN reports come under fire for raising difficult issues or documenting violations of law or human rights, Member States should defend the mechanisms and mandates that they themselves have established.

As the Secretariat carries forward the work that is entrusted to us, I count on Member States to work constructively and maintain their commitment to the cause of this Organization.

Thank you very much. I am ready to answer some questions.