Peace and Security

[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. 

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Minister Maas, let me begin by thanking you and the German presidency for the opportunity to update the Council on the situation in Libya, in this expanded format.
 
This important meeting -- six months after the Berlin International conference on Libya -- brings together Security Council members with the Berlin process participants and offers an opportunity to recommit to the principles agreed in Berlin and enshrined in Security Council resolution 2510.
 
Excellencies,

Time is not on our side in Libya.

I thank the German Presidency for convening this important discussion.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to profoundly affect peace and security across the globe.
 
The consequences can be seen even in a number of countries traditionally seen as “stable”. 
But the impacts are particularly apparent in countries already experiencing conflict or emerging from it – and may soon engulf others.
 
The risks are diverse.
 
Tensions are rising as a result of the severe socio-economic fallout of the crisis.
 

[English version; scroll down for French version]

Excellencies,

Dear colleagues and family members,

Each year, it is my solemn duty to honour our colleagues and friends who have lost their lives in the course of their service to the United Nations.

This year, because of the pandemic, we cannot be together in person.

But please know that each of our fallen colleagues is firmly in my heart, I believe is firmly in all our hearts.