Europe

I am deeply touched by your generosity. Thank you for organizing this very meaningful concert to mark the end of my mandate.

In any orchestra, the conductor leads but a beautiful symphony is created by the performers.

I have had the privilege to lead the United Nations – but I have only succeeded thanks to its dedicated staff. They are the heart of the United Nations.

This orchestra is made up of musicians from among our proud UN workforce.

Thank you very much for your welcome, Zainab Badawi.

My thanks to all of you. I am pleased to be with such a distinguished audience of creative communications leaders.

I have heard a lot about the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. Someone told me this is the world’s biggest gathering of “Mad Men”.

I thought to myself: “You should see some of the people I have to deal with!”

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have had an unforgettable visit.

Today, I met refugees from some of the world’s most troubled places.

They have lived through a nightmare. And that nightmare is not over.

But here in Lesbos, they have found relief from war and persecution.

I commend the Greek authorities, the people of Lesbos and the humanitarian community for your extraordinary response.

Lesbos is an island of peace – and you are a sea of solidarity.

You have opened your homes, hearts and wallets to support people in need.

Kaliméra.

Good morning.

I am delighted to be in Athens once again. I thank the Government and people of Greece for their warm welcome.

I have had very good meetings with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras this morning and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos yesterday evening. I will meet Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias shortly.

Greece makes important contributions to the United Nations across the international agenda. I thank the people of Greece for their global citizenship.

I would like, first of all, to thank Mr Sergey Prikhodko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, for organizing and inviting me to this very important St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. And I would like also to say thank you and welcome to all the distinguished leaders on the podium and to the distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning. [Dobry den]

I am honoured to be with you again, and I thank you for your commitment and leadership.

I also thank our generous hosts, the European Commission, represented today by the Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development, His Excellency Mr. Neven Mimica.

It has been half a decade since we launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative.

We have already achieved a lot and built a solid foundation to achieve our objective.

Now we have 15 years to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 on energy.

I thank Their Majesties for hosting us and for being such strong supporters of the United Nations. I thank you both for the decoration you have just bestowed on me.

Queen Mathilde, we are honoured to have you on board as an Advocate for the 17 new Sustainable Development Goals. Thank you for agreeing to add your voice to keep this shared vision in focus and help ensure that no one is left behind.

I am pleased to join you today.

For 10 years, the European Development Days have fostered partnership and innovation for a better future for some of the world’s most vulnerable people and nations.

The global partnership for development was integral to the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals.

The result was unprecedented gains in health, prosperity, education and empowerment.

The MDGs made their mark on the world. But we know there is still much more to do.

Goede namiddag, dames en heren,
Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs,
(Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,)

President Juncker and I have had a wide-ranging and fruitful discussion.

I thanked him for the cooperation, commitment and support that the European Union continues to provide to the United Nations and our joint efforts.

The challenges that the EU and the international community face today require strong partnerships.

On 22 March, we grieved with Brussels as this vibrant and diverse city experienced horrific violence.

Monsieur le Président, je vous remercie ainsi que le Ministre Jean-Marc Ayrault d’avoir convoqué cette importante réunion sur le processus de paix au Moyen-Orient.

Cette conférence permet de souligner que la communauté internationale est déterminée à continuer à accorder la priorité à ce dossier et à coordonner tous les efforts déployés en faveur de la paix. Je vous remercie une nouvelle fois d’avoir pris cette initiative.