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Tag: Antonio Guterres

  • Trump’s withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord a ‘great disappointment’ – UN

    Trump’s withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord a ‘great disappointment’ – UN

    The UN says the decision by the United States to withdraw from Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security.

    Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General, told the media at the UN Headquarters in New York, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his country’s withdrawal from the Agreement.

    “The Paris Agreement was adopted by all nations in the world in 2015 because they recognise the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents.

    “It offers a meaningful yet flexible framework for action by all countries,” Dujarric said.

    He added that the Secretary-General António Guterres remained confident that cities, states and businesses within the U.S., along with other countries, would continue to demonstrate vision and leadership.

    According to him, this can be done by working for the low-carbon and resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 21st century prosperity.

    “It is crucial that the United States remain a leader on environmental issues,” the spokesman for the Secretary-General noted.

    Dujarric also said that the Secretary-General looked forward to engaging with the U.S. Government and all actors in the country and around the world to build the sustainable future on which the future generations depend.

    Trump had promised to make his decision known this week on the Paris Climate Agreement, which as at May, 195 members of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change had signed and 147 had ratified.

    In a nationwide broadcast, Trump announced: “to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord but begin negotiations to re-enter our way into Paris Accord.

    “Or in really entirely new transaction or terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people and its tax payers.

    “So, we are getting out but we will start to negotiate and we would see if we could make a deal that is fair and if we can, that’s great and if we can’t, that’s fine.

    “As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of the American citizens. The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States.

    “For the exclusive benefits of other countries, leaving American workers, who I love, and tax payers to observe the cost in terms of job loss, low wages, shattered factories and vastly diminished economic production.

    “Thus, as of today, the United States would cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country.

    “This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contributions and very importantly, the Green Climate Fund, which is costing the United States a vast fortune.”

    According to him, compliant with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restriction that is placed on the U.S. can cost America as much as 2.7 million job loss by 2025.

  • UN to honour two Nigerian peacekeepers

    Two fallen peacekeepers from Nigeria, Commodore Christopher Ademu Abu and Sgt. Mayehm Norbert, are among the 117 that would be honoured with the posthumous Dag Hammarskjöld medal.

    NAN reports that the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is a posthumous award given by the UN to military personnel, police, or civilians who lose their lives while serving in a UN peacekeeping operation.

    The medal is named after Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the UN, who died in a plane crash in what is now Zambia in September 1961.

    The UN, in a statement said the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, would award the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously to the 117 fallen heroes at the UN Headquarters on Wednesday.

    The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UN headquarters would observe the 2017 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on May 24.

    “Two fallen peacekeepers from Nigeria are among those to posthumously receive the Dag Hammarskjöld medal, Commodore Christopher Ademu Abu, who served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

    “And Police Sergeant Mayehm Norbert, who was deployed with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL),” the statement read.

    Nigeria is the 14th largest contributor of military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping.

    It currently deploys nearly 1,700 uniformed personnel to the UN peace operations in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, South Sudan, Sudan and the Western Sahara.

    Guterres will lay a wreath to honour all fallen peacekeepers and will preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal will be awarded posthumously to 117 military, police and civilian personnel who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping operations during 2016.

     

  • 1st batch of 4,000 peacekeepers arrive war-torn South Sudan: UN scribe

    The first batch of 4,000 peacekeepers arrived war-torn South Sudan,  eight months after the Security Council authorised the deployment of extra troops.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made this known in a monthly report on the status of the deployment and obstacles facing some 13,000 peacekeepers already on the ground.

    Guterres said “the situation in the country has deteriorated at a rapid pace,”

    The 15-member Security Council approved the additional troops, known as a Regional Protection Force (RPF), in August 2016.

    The approval followed several days of heavy fighting in the capital Juba between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing former Vice President Riek Machar.

    The force is part of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which has been in South Sudan since its independence from Sudan in 2011.

    The country spiraled into civil war, with violence along ethnic lines, after Kiir sacked Machar in 2013.

    “Deployment of some of the first wave elements of the RPF … has begun,” Guterres said in the report.

    While it usually takes several months for the UN to get the troop contributions needed for a deployment, the world body has also had to contend with the South Sudanese government’s red tape and unwillingness to cooperate.

    “It is indeed unfortunate that the first troops associated with the RPF have only begun to arrive eight months after they were initially mandated by the Security Council,” Guterres said in the report.

    He added that as of May 15 there were 31 members of the Bangladesh Construction Engineering Company on the ground.

    The Security Council had threatened to impose an arms embargo if Kiir’s government did not cooperate with the deployment or allow peacekeepers already on the ground to move freely to protect civilians.

    The U.S. put the measure to a vote in December it failed to get the nine votes needed to pass.

    Guterres said that UNMISS “continued to be obstructed and restricted in some cases encountering aggression from government forces.”

    He also said humanitarian aid deliveries were being hindered.

    The UN estimates about three million South Sudanese, a quarter of the population, have fled their homes, parts of the oil-producing country are in famine and top UN officials have warned of a possible genocide.

     

  • Nigeria will take its rightful place at the UN –Amb. Bande

    The Nigeria’s new Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, say his assumption of duty signifies that Nigeria has come to take its rightful place at the global body.

    Bande stated this after the presentation of his credentials to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday evening.

    “It’s extremely important that we take our rightful place in the system (UN) here. What’s important is that we have a lot of issues relating to security and peace and development.

    “In terms of the efforts being undertaken in Nigeria, we do need partners to understand what it is that we are doing and in what ways not only can we be assisted but also in what ways we can contribute to the effort globally.

    “Because Boko Haram, for example, is an issue but it is not just a Nigerian issue; it’s a global issue relating to terrorism.

    “There are questions concerning UN reform. These are important issues that are being discussed for decades and there is a new push that this should be done equitably.

    “Nigeria has offered itself to serve in any capacity relating to that new reform of the UN Security Council.

    “So these are extremely important issues – peace and development, conflict matters, the issue of Lake Chad.

    “And what support can be given to revive communities in that region, which includes not only West Africa but Central Africa; lives and livelihood are affected.

    “But it is important that we join the system, offer ourselves for leadership and give support to issues that concern not only Nigeria but also Africa and the world.”

    The Nigeria’s envoy pledged that Nigeria would bring its influence to bear on the UN, particularly on the issues of security and development on the African continent.

    The Permanent Representative also commended the world’s body for its support to Nigeria and Africa over security challenges.

    “The Secretary-General has shown leadership, he has shown commitment to the African region.

    “He supported the highest-powered body to go to the continent to see for themselves the ravaging effects of Boko Haram.

    “There was a renewed commitment by the international community through that effort to support Nigeria and the Lake Chad region to address the Boko Haram challenge.

    “This is because Boko Haram is not Nigeria’s problem; it’s a problem affecting Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon,” Bande said.

    The new Permanent Representative assumed office at the Nigeria’s Permanent Mission on Monday.

    Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Samson Itegboje, Head of Chancery, Dr Cyprian Heen and the Mission’s Spokesperson Akinremi Bolaji were on Bande’s entourage to the UN House.

     

  • Guterres urges fresh probe into ex-UN chief’s death

    United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, on Tuesday urged fresh probe into the circumstances that led to the tragic death of former Secretary-General of the world body, Dag Hammarskjöld, and his team in a plane crash.

    Guterres, in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mr. Stéphane Dujarric, said there was the need to unravel the truth on the death of Hammarskjöld and members of the party that accompanied him.

    The statement said the Secretary-General was pleased to confirm that Mohammed Othman, the eminent person he appointed, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 71/260, continued his work in relation to the investigation into the tragic death.

    “The Secretary-General affirmed his own commitment to this matter in the strongest terms as he strongly feels that he owes it to his illustrious and distinguished predecessor, Dag Hammarskjöld,” the statement said.

    “He also feels the same to the other members of the party accompanying him and to their families, to pursue the full truth of this matter.

    “He again urges Member States to actively assist the eminent person in his role.

    “And to disclose, declassify or otherwise allow privileged access to information that they may have in their possession related to the circumstances and conditions resulting in the deaths of the passengers of flight SE-BDY.”

    Hammarskjöld was killed in a Douglas DC-6 airplane crash en route to cease-fire negotiations in 1961.

    He was a Swedish diplomat, economist, and author, who served as the second Secretary-General of the UN from April 1953 until his death in a plane crash in September 1961.

    At the age of 47 years upon his appointment, Hammarskjöld was the youngest to have held the post.

    Additionally, he was the only UN Secretary-General to die while in office.

    Hammarskjöld has been referred to as one of the two best secretaries-general, and his appointment has been mentioned as the most notable success for the UN.

    Former United States President, John Kennedy, called Hammarskjöld “the greatest statesman of our century.”

    NAN

     

  • North Korea: UN concerned at rising tensions

    The UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday expressed concerns on the rising tensions over North Korea in recent weeks.

    The Spokesperson to the Secretary-General, Mr Stephane Dujarric, at a briefing, called on all parties to employ diplomatic options to resolve the crisis.

    “We’re obviously deeply concerned about the rising tensions that we’ve seen in the Korean Peninsula.

    “We call on all to redouble their diplomatic efforts. I think the latest launch that we saw over the weekend from the DPRK was troubling.

    “We call on the DPRK (North Korea)to take all the steps necessary to de‑escalate the situation and return to a dialogue on denuclearization.

    “All Security Council resolutions must be fully implemented, and we note that the Security Council has consistently stated its commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic, and political solution,” he said.

    He noted that the UN used to have a Special Representative for North Korea, but that the position had not been filled.

    “The post has been unfilled for quite some years. But I’m not aware of any plans to appoint someone, which should not mean that we’re not watching the situation very carefully.”

    Kim In Ryong, North Korea’s Permanent  Representative to the UN, also warned against nuclear war at a news conference.

    “The prevailing grave situation proves once again that the DPRK was entirely just when it increased in every way its military capabilities for self-defense and pre-emptive attack with a nuclear force as a pivot.

    “It has created dangerous situation in which the thermonuclear war may break out at any moment on the peninsula and pose a serious threat to the world’s peace and security, to say nothing of those of northeast Asia,” he said.

    Kim said the U.S. President Donald Trump’s deployment of the Carl Vinson nuclear carrier task group to waters off the Korean Peninsula again “proves the U.S. reckless moves for invading the DPRK have reached a serious phase of its scenario”.

    The North Korean diplomat stressed that U.S.-South Korean military exercises being staged now are the largest-ever “aggressive war drill” aimed at his country.

    He warned that North Korea would take toughest counter actions threatening, “we will hold the U.S. accountable”.

    There were reports that North Korea attempted another missile launch over the weekend but it failed.

  • Preventing genocide, a shared responsibility – UN Secretary-General

    Preventing genocide, a shared responsibility – UN Secretary-General

    As the world marked the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda at the weekend, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has noted that preventing genocide and other monstrous crimes is a shared responsibility of all and a core duty of the United Nations.

    “The only way to truly honour the memory of those who were killed in Rwanda is to ensure that such events never occur again.” He said in a video message watched by 300 students and parents who had gathered in Abuja to mark the Day.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddaf6a” bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]The world must always be alert to the warning signs of genocide, and act quickly and early against the threat. History is filled with tragic chapters of hatred, inaction and indifference – a cycle that has led to violence, incarceration and death camps – Mr Guterres.[/quote]

    The Secretary-General, therefore, urged everyone to learn the lessons of Rwanda and work together to build a future of dignity, tolerance and human rights for all.

    Welcoming the audience to the educational briefing event organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission and Start-Rite School, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, the National Information Officer of UNIC, Mr Oluseyi Soremekun, explained that “We are observing the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda to educate on the lessons of the genocide in Rwanda in order to help prevent similar acts happening anywhere in the future.”

    The Drama by students of Start-Rite School Abuja.
    The Drama by students of Start-Rite School Abuja.

    He enjoined the students and other participants to see all tribes and religions as equal and complimentary of one another with none inferior to the other. ‘Tribes and tongues may differ’ Mr Soremekun continued, ‘but you must stand together in peace and unity.”

    The Second Counsellor, Rwanda High Commission, Mr Protogene Nsengumuremyi, in his keynote address drew attention to the UN Security Council Resolution 2150 which condemns without reservation, any denial of the genocide and calls upon States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide to consider doing so as a matter of high priority.

    The programme featured film screening, reading of survivors’ testimonies and a drama sketch performed by students of Start-Rite School, Abuja. The programme was attended by students from seven schools including the host school, Start-Rite.

    April 7 every year is the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda.

  • Africa: A Continent of Hope- UN Secretary

    Africa: A Continent of Hope- UN Secretary

    Far too often, the world views Africa through the prism of problems. When I look to Africa, I see a continent of hope, promise and vast potential.

    I am committed to building on those strengths and establishing a higher platform of cooperation between the United Nations and the leaders and people of Africa. This is essential to advancing inclusive and sustainable development and deepening cooperation for peace and security.

    That is the message I carried to the recent African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — my first major mission as United Nations Secretary-General.

    Above all, I came in a spirit of profound solidarity and respect. I am convinced that the world has much to gain from African wisdom, ideas and solutions.

    I also brought with me a deep sense of gratitude. Africa provides the majority of United Nations peacekeepers around the world. African nations are among the world’s largest and most generous hosts of refugees. Africa includes some of the world’s fastest growing economies.

    The recent resolution of the political crisis in the Gambia once again demonstrated the power of African leadership and unity to overcome governance challenges and uphold democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

    I left the Summit more convinced than ever that all of humanity will benefit by listening, learning and working with the people of Africa.

    We have the plans in place to build a better future. The international community has entered the second year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an all-out effort to tackle global poverty, inequality, instability and injustice. Africa has adopted its own complementary and ambitious plan: Agenda 2063.

    For the people of Africa to fully benefit from these important efforts, these two agendas need to be strategically aligned.

    It starts with prevention. Our world needs to move from managing crises to preventing them in the first place. We need to break the cycle of responding too late and too little.

    Most of today’s conflicts are internal, triggered by competition for power and resources, inequality, marginalization and sectarian divides. Often, they are inflamed by violent extremism or provide the fuel for it.

    The United Nations is committed to working hand-in-hand with partners wherever conflict or the threat of conflict endangers stability and well-being.

    But prevention goes far beyond focusing solely on conflict. The best means of prevention and the surest path to durable peace is inclusive and sustainable development.

    We can speed progress by doing more to provide opportunities and hope to young people. More than three out of five Africans are under 35 years of age. Making the most of this tremendous asset means more investment in education, training, decent work, and engaging young people in shaping their future.

    We must also do our utmost to empower women so they can play a full role in sustainable development and sustainable peace. I am pleased that the African Union has consistently placed a special focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    I have seen it again and again: When we empower women, we empower the world.

    I travelled to Africa as a partner, friend and committed advocate for changing the narrative about this diverse and vital continent. Crises represent at best a partial view. But from a higher platform of cooperation, we can see the whole picture – one that spotlights the enormous potential and remarkable success stories in every corner of the African continent.

    With that perspective, I have no doubt we can win the battle for sustainable and inclusive development which are also the best weapons to prevent conflict and suffering, allowing Africa to shine even more vibrantly and inspire the world.

    António Guterres is Secretary-General of the United Nations

  • UN chief Guterres resumes in New York

    UN chief Guterres resumes in New York

    Antonio Guterres, the new UN Secretary-General arrived at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, his first time as Secretary-General.

    Guterres was accompanied to the UN headquarters by Mr Peter Thompson, President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly and Maria Ribeiro, Chief de Cabinet to Guterres.

    The new scribe, after his arrival, gave a brief address to the staff, some of whom were on ground to receive him.

    The secretary-general emphasised his vision of rallying global leaders to resolve some of the most complex challenges currently confronting humanity.

    “Only global solutions can solve global problems and the UN is the cornerstone of that,” Guterres told the UN staff.

    Guterres assumed office on Jan. 1, 2017, as the ninth UN Secretary-General after Ban Ki-moon’s exit following the completion of a 10 year- tenure on Dec. 31.

     

    Prior to his election as Secretary-General, he served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015.

    The UN chief also served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002.

  • António Guterres resumes as 9th UN Secretary-General

    António Guterres resumes as 9th UN Secretary-General

    António Guterres assumed office on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, as the ninth after Ban Ki-moon’s exit following the completion of a 10 year- tenure on Saturday, Dec. 31.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Guterres, in his maiden message as the UN Secretary-General, entitled: “Appeal for Peace”, urged the world to make a New Year resolution “to put peace first”.

    “On my first day as Secretary-General of the United Nations, one question weighs heavily on my heart.

    “How can we help the millions of people caught up in conflict, suffering massively in wars with no end in sight?

    “Civilians are pounded with deadly force. Women, children and men are killed and injured, forced from their homes, dispossessed and destitute. Even hospitals and aid convoys are targeted.”

    According to him, no one wins these wars rather, everyone loses.

    Guterres pointed out that trillions of dollars were spent destroying societies and economies, fueling cycles of mistrust and fear that can last for generations.

    He regretted that whole regions were destabilised adding, the new threat of global terrorism affects us all.

    “On this New Year’s Day, I ask all of you to join me in making one shared New Year’s resolution: Let us resolve to put peace first.

    “Let us make 2017 a year in which we all – citizens, governments, leaders – strive to overcome our differences.

    “From solidarity and compassion in our daily lives, to dialogue and respect across political divides… From ceasefires on the battlefield, to compromise at the negotiating table to reach political solutions…

    “Peace must be our goal and our guide,” the new UN scribe said.

    According to him, all that we strive for as a human family – dignity and hope, progress and prosperity – depends on peace.

    “But peace depends on us.

    “I appeal to you all to join me in committing to peace, today and every day.

    “Let us make 2017 a year for peace,” Guterres, who will arrive the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday for his first official working day, appealed.

    NAN recalls that the new UN chief was sworn in on Dec. 12, 2016, as the ninth Secretary-General.

    Having witnessed the suffering of the most vulnerable people on earth, in refugee camps and in war zones, Guterres is determined to make human dignity the core of his work and to serve as a peace broker, a bridge-builder and a promoter of reform and innovation.

    Prior to his election as Secretary-General, he served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015,  heading one of the world’s foremost humanitarian organisations during some of the most serious displacement crises in decades.

    The conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and the crises in South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Yemen, led to a huge rise in UNHCR’s activities as the number of people displaced by conflict and persecution rose from 38 million in 2005 to over 60 million in 2015.

    Before joining UNHCR, Guterres spent more than 20 years in government and public service.

    He served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, during which time he was heavily involved in the international effort to resolve the crisis in East Timor.

    As president of the European Council in early 2000, he led the adoption of the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs and co-chaired the first European Union-Africa summit.

    The new secretary-general was a member of the Portuguese Council of State from 1991 to 2002.

    Guterres was elected to the Portuguese Parliament in 1976 where he served as a member for 17 years.

    During that time, he chaired the Parliamentary Committee for Economy, Finance and Planning, and later the Parliamentary Committee for Territorial Administration, Municipalities and Environment.

    The UN scribe was also the leader of his party’s parliamentary group.

    From 1981 to 1983, Guterres was a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where he chaired the Committee on Demography, Migration and Refugees.

    For many years, the ninth UN scribe was active in the Socialist International, a worldwide organisation of social democratic political parties.

    He was the group’s Vice-President from 1992 to 1999, co-chairing the African Committee and later the Development Committee, and served as President from 1999 until mid-2005.

    In addition, he founded the Portuguese Refugee Council as well as the Portuguese Consumers Association DECO and served as president of the Centro de Acção Social Universitário, an association carrying out social development projects in poor neighbourhoods of Lisbon, in the early 1970s.

    The new UN chief is a member of the Club of Madrid, a leadership alliance of democratic former presidents and prime ministers from around the world.

    Born in Lisbon in 1949 and graduated from the Instituto Superior Técnico with a degree in engineering, Guterres is fluent in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.

    He is married to Catarina de Almeida, Deputy Mayor for Culture of Lisbon, and has two children, a stepson and three grandchildren.