Africa

This visit was supposed to take place last week. Unfortunately, I had to go to Moscow and Kyiv, as you know.

It was a visit of solidarity, especially with the victims of terrorism, in the holy month of Ramadan. The fact that I came to Borno State is symbolic of our priority to the world to fight terrorism and to create solutions for the victims of terrorism.

Now, the Borno State I have heard about in many circumstances around my life as High Commissioner for Refugees and then as Secretary-General was a Borno State of terrorism, of violence, of displacement, of despair.

Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, honoured guests and family members.

August 26, 2011 is a date that is burned into the collective memory of our UN family.

On that tragic day, an appalling terrorist attack on UN House left 23 UN employees and civilians dead, and more than 60 injured.

Those staff members who lost their lives were unsung heroes who proudly served Nigerians through our organization’s work.

Clerks, receptionists and drivers.

A national professional officer and an associate expert.

A monitoring and evaluation specialist.

Thank you very much Mr. President for your warm and generous welcome.

I am profoundly grateful to the government of Nigeria and to all those who helped make this visit possible at the end of the period linked to the Eid, and for allowing me to share in this special time.

This is a visit of solidarity with all Nigerians, but particularly with the victims of terrorism that I yesterday met in Borno.

I had also hoped that it would be part of my annual solidarity visit for Ramadan in which I would join the fast.

Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, honoured guests and family members.

August 26, 2011 is a date that is burned into the collective memory of our UN family.

On that tragic day, an appalling terrorist attack on UN House left 23 UN employees and civilians dead, and more than 60 injured.

Those staff members who lost their lives were unsung heroes who proudly served Nigerians through our organization’s work.

Clerks, receptionists and drivers.

A national professional officer and an associate expert.

A monitoring and evaluation specialist.

[Bilingual as delivered]

[Bilingual as delivered]

Dear Friends,
 
Twenty years ago, thanks to the advocacy of women peacebuilders and particularly those in Africa, the United Nations Security Council adopted the landmark resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
 
This was the first-time women were recognized not only as victims of war but as people with their own agency and expertise, who are valuable assets to findings peaceful solutions to conflict.
 
Since then, there have been nine additional Security Council resolutions on WPS and several African Union instruments have been put in place.

I thank the Republic of Seychelles for bringing us together to highlight the importance of – and threats to – the world’s oceans and maritime environments.
 
The world’s oceans are a massive resource for sustainable development and a crucial buffer against climate change. 
 
The Blue Economy has been described as the “new frontier of African Renaissance”, with the potential to create wealth, promote trade, generate economic growth and transform lives.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
 
In 1995, African women made their voices heard during the Beijing World Conference on Women.
 
It was a pivotal moment for global recognition of the rights of women and girls.
 
African women were also instrumental in advocating for the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 on women peace and security two decades ago, which recognised the vital contribution of women to the pursuit of peace and called for their inclusion in all levels of negotiation processes.
 

[English version; scroll down for bilingual as delivered version]