Peace and Security

[Bilingual, as delivered]

Excellencies, colleagues and friends,

Today, I have the honor of meeting – albeit remotely – four formidable women leaders who strive for peace in their regions and countries.

Thank you for joining us as we mark both the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and 20 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 that Melissa has referred. 

That resolution was a landmark -- a ground-breaking step spearheaded by the women’s movement and women leaders. 

Indeed I wanted to launch a call to action, and to call on Governments, on the United Nations system - because it starts by us all and the way we behave - on Regional Organizations, African Union, European Union, many others, Civil Society Organizations, academia, and the wider international community to take bold actions to translate commitments into reality. 

To prioritize women’s leadership.

To invest in community-based women’s networks as equal partners. 

To embrace evidence-based decision-making through a gender data revolution. 

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Thank you for participating in this meeting.
 
I would like to thank Germany for co-chairing this meeting with the United Nations and for its leadership demonstrated through the Berlin process.
 
Resolving the crisis in Libya remains a top priority for the United Nations.
 
The conflict has been going on for far too long and today we have an opportunity to recommit to its ending.
 

[English version; scroll down for as delivered version]

[All-English below; followed by bilingual as delivered version and all-French] 

Thank you for this opportunity to address the subject of global governance as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A microscopic virus is now the number one threat in our world.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a full-blown crisis in itself, unfolding against a backdrop of high geopolitical tensions and other global threats in unpredictable and dangerous ways.

The pandemic is a clear test of international cooperation – a test we have essentially failed.

I am pleased to join you for this High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace – an event that is particularly important during these difficult times. 
 
The COVID-19 pandemic, we all know, is a challenge like no other. This is above all a human crisis, touching every area of our lives, destroying livelihoods and weakening the foundations of peaceful societies.
 

I thank the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council for convening this joint briefing on my Report on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace – focusing on the 2020 review of the peacebuilding architecture.
 
I thank Member States for engaging actively and helping shape this critical outcome. Despite the extraordinary conditions imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic, this report is the fruit of broad and inclusive process.
 

Students from all over the world,
 
The International Day of Peace is traditionally a day when we call on armed combatants across the world to put down their weapons. But in a time of pandemic, 24 hours is not nearly enough.
 
That is why, last March, I called for an immediate global cease-fire. Because now there is only one true enemy: the virus.  The pandemic is the biggest threat to peace and security in our world today.
 

Your Excellency, Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the General Assembly,
Your Excellency, Mr. Ishikane Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan,
Excellencies,
United Nations Messengers of Peace,
Ladies and gentlemen, and everyone who is joining us remotely, 

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to start by reiterating my personal attachment to Yemen, which dates back to my time as High Commissioner for Refugees and I will never forget the generosity of the Yemeni people in hosting refugees. 

Since assuming the position of Secretary-General, I have constantly sought to do whatever I can to help find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.