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Tag: UN Secretary General

  • UN sues for calm, patience among Nigerians

    The United Nations has sued for calm and patience  in Nigeria ahead  of the elections.

    The  Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, commended “Nigerians for a pre-election period that had been largely, peaceful and participatory”.

    Chambas, who is also Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), “encouraged all Nigerians to continue to maintain calm and to exercise patience and restraint throughout the voting process and the announcement of the final results”.

    While welcoming the signing on February 13, of the Second National Peace Accord by Presidential candidates,   Chambas urged them to “mobilise their  sympathisers and supporters to adhere to the tenets of free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible elections, devoid of hate and denigration of each other”.

    He called on “all Nigerians to firmly reject all undemocratic and negative voices that may seek to disrupt the elections and promote conflict between Nigerians”.

    The UN Special Representative encouraged Nigerians to come out in their numbers and cast their vote peacefully in exercise of their civic responsibility.

    He affirmed that the success of the polls is the responsibility of all Nigerians and relevant Nigerian institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, candidates, religious leaders, civil society.

    The UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel urged “all candidates and party leaders to seek redress of any grievances they may have through legal and constitutional means”.

    While calling on the all stakeholders to prioritise the interest of the country, Chambas hoped “that the successful conduct of peaceful, free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible elections would set another example for the elections coming up in West Africa and Africa, and underscore Nigeria’s leadership in the region”.

  • António Guterres: ‘Our responsibility is to invest in people’

    For the 2018 edition of Impact Journalism Day, the UN Secretary-General examines the path towards global achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Identifying and sharing positive initiatives led by citizens, social entrepreneurs, governments and international organizations, gives us hope, and can help us overcome challenges and reach our global objectives together.

    Three years ago, world leaders unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Negotiating this framework for a better future and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals spanned three years and involved hundreds of meetings, thousands of documents and millions of people. That was the easy part. The harder work is now under way: bringing the blueprint to life.

    The Goals were adopted with justifiable enthusiasm. Covering everything from energy to education, infrastructure to institutions, urbanization to innovation, they offer a holistic roadmap for addressing the world’s ills. They apply to all countries, reflect the priorities of all countries and were embraced by all countries, with presidents and prime ministers putting their weight behind the Goals’ core promise: to leave no one behind.

    In this third year of implementation, momentum is still with us. Many countries are aligning their policies and budgets behind the Goals. More and more businesses are recognizing the opportunities to invest in new technologies, open up new markets and build the sustainable and inclusive economy of the 21st-century. Civil society organizations are using these global Goals to drive local change.

    At the same time, progress is too slow to meet the targets by the deadline of 2030. Armed conflicts and humanitarian crises are also throwing us off course. Action in three areas is especially urgent.

    First is climate change. The nine warmest years on record have all occurred since 2005. Last year, the economic toll of climate-related disasters hit a new high: $320 billion. People’s lives are being shattered. We need greater ambition, including a 25 per cent cut in emissions by 2020. These are the facts. Fortunately, there is another, more hopeful reality: Clean energy is more affordable and competitive than ever. The International Labour Organization reported recently that common sense green economy policies could create 24 million decent jobs globally by 2030. Climate change is still moving faster than we are; our challenge is to usher in a race to the top.

    Second, like global temperatures, inequality keeps rising. Globalization has brought remarkable benefits — increased wealth, a growing global middle class and major inroads against poverty. But more than over 800 million people continue to live in extreme poverty. And many people, sectors and regions feel they are being left behind, unable to participate in this visible prosperity. This, in turn, undermines social cohesion and heightens the appeal of populists and xenophobes. Our responsibility is to invest in people and build a fair globalization that works for all.

    Third, we will neither conquer inequality, nor halt climate change, nor indeed achieve any of our shared goals, without empowering the world’s women and girls. Yet gender-based discrimination remains entrenched. Representation in political life and the business world is growing, but slowly. Within their own households, women’s voices are frequently stifled. And violence and harassment are pervasive, most often with impunity. The imperative is clear: change power dynamics as a matter of basic rights, but also because women’s participation makes economies more dynamic, societies more resilient and peace agreements more durable.

    Sustainable development also depends on upholding human rights and ensuring peace and security. After all, leaving no-one behind means reaching the furthest behind first: those facing armed conflict, governance failures and political repression and instability. This is why the framework includes a dedicated goal on inclusive societies, access to justice and accountable institutions. Sustainable development is an end in itself, but it is also the best way to prevent crisis and build a safer world.

    The Sustainable Development Goals take us to the year 2030. But even today we must look to the farther horizon of frontier issues. Technological innovation continues to provide answers for many pressing challenges. Yet developments involving artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and cyberspace also have dark sides and will lead to upheavals in labour markets, global security and society in general. We must work across sectors to move forward in ways that ensure the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are enjoyed by all.

    The Sustainable Development Goals are our pathway toward a fairer, more peaceful and prosperous world on a healthy planet. They are also a summons to inter-generational solidarity. We have no greater duty than to invest in the well-being of young people so that they can realize their potential. I am determined to ensure that an effective, reformed United Nations is up to the task in enabling people everywhere, today and tomorrow, meet their needs and realize their aspirations.

    António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

  • DR Congo: Killing of 14 peacekeepers,worst attack in recent times -UN

    DR Congo: Killing of 14 peacekeepers,worst attack in recent times -UN

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the killing of at least 14 peacekeepers in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),describing it as the “worst attack” on UN peacekeepers in recent history.

    The UN in a statement said late Thursday, the Company Operating Base of the UN Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) at Semuliki in Beni territory, North Kivu, was attacked by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) elements.

    The attack resulted in a protracted fighting between the suspected armed group elements and MONUSCO and Armed Forces of the DRC, known by the French acronym, FARDC.

    “These deliberate attacks against UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and constitute a war crime” the Secretary-General said, adding: “I condemn this attack unequivocally.”

    He called on the DRC authorities to investigate the incident and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The UN chief stressed: “There must be no impunity for such assaults, here or anywhere else.”

    He also said that the attack was another indication of the challenges faced by UN peacekeeping operations around the world and acknowledged the sacrifices made by troop contributing countries in the service of global peace.

    “These brave women and men are putting their lives on the line every day across the world to serve peace and to protect civilians,” he noted.

    Guterres offered condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and a speedy recovery to those injured.

    He also informed that military reinforcements, including the Force Commander from MONUSCO, had arrived on the scene and medical evacuation of casualties was ongoing.

    The volatile North Kivu region, located in eastern DRC, has witnessed a number of attacks on UN peacekeeping forces.

    In October, two UN ‘blue helmets’ were killed and another 18 were injured their base was attacked by the ADF armed group.

  • UNGA: Nigeria signs Nuclear Weapons prohibition treaty

    UNGA: Nigeria signs Nuclear Weapons prohibition treaty

    Nigeria has signed the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty, joining dozens of other countries that signed the treaty to ban nuclear weapons amid tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, signed the treaty on behalf of Nigeria on Wednesday at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the High-level UN General Assembly.

    After the signing ceremony, Onyeama told correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigeria was in support of the weapons-free world.

    He said “right from the early 60s, Nigeria has been a strong advocate of nuclear weapons prohibition and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

    “You may recall in the early 60s when France tested an atom bomb-related device in the Sahara and Nigeria cut diplomatic relations with France at the time.

    “Nigeria has always been a strong advocate of de-nuclearisation of the world. We are one of the main movers of this treaty.”

    The minister said it was unfortunate that countries with nuclear weapons saw them as deterrence and safeguarded their security.

    According to him, it will take great effort to really push and get a larger number of countries to accede to the treaty, especially nuclear weapons states.

    Nuclear Weapons
    Nuclear Weapons

    He urged countries that signed the treaty, Civil Society Organisations and intergovernmental organisations to convince others to accede to the treaty.

    The foreign affairs minister stressed that “the point made was that even if those nuclear weapons states were
    not ready to sign, they should at least take measures to ensure there was no accidental use or deliberate use of nuclear weapons.”

    The treaty would enter into force 90 days after 50 countries ratified it, while Nigeria was due to deposit its ratification soon.

    The UN had in July adopted Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty in a majority vote by 122 countries, leading toward total elimination of nuclear weapons, while 60 countries boycotted.

    With the adoption of the treaty, nuclear weapons now joined all other weapons of mass destruction
    already prohibited.

    Nigeria, together with Ireland, Austria, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa played leadership roles in bringing forward the UN resolution convening the Diplomatic Conference that negotiated the ground-breaking treaty.

    Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, said it was sad that “there were countries that still have nuclear weapons and refused to give them up”.

    Bande pointed out that resources spent in maintaining nuclear weapons could better be used in other development projects.

    According to him, those regions with nuclear weapons has continued to be unstable, citing India and Pakistan and Israel and their neighbours.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said as he opened the treaty for signing “because there remain some 15,000 nuclear weapons in existence.

    “We cannot allow these doomsday weapons to endanger our world and our children’s future.”

    U.S. President Donald Trump told the 193-member UN General Assembly on Tuesday that if threatened, the U.S. would “totally destroy” North Korea and its 26 million people.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, in his address to the UN, said the most pressing threat to international peace and security was accelerated nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea.

    Buhari, therefore, urged that necessary pressure and diplomatic efforts be brought to bear on North Korea to accept a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

    “Nigeria proposes a strong UN delegation to urgently engage the North Korean Leader. The delegation, led by the Security Council, should include members from all the regions,” Buhari said.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Human Rights Day: ‘Stand for someone’s rights today, everyday’ – Ban

    Human Rights Day: ‘Stand for someone’s rights today, everyday’ – Ban

    The global community has been challenged to rise up individually and collectively, for the protection of the rights of people around them at all times.

    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who made the remarks in his message to mark the 2016 Human Rights Day, observed on Dec. 10, said, “upholding human rights is in the interest of all”.

    “All of us can and must act in our daily lives to advance the human rights of the people around us.

    “This is the driving force behind a new global campaign being launched by the United Nations Human Rights Office “Stand Up for Someone’s Rights Today”.

    “Wherever we are, each of us can make a difference for human rights:  in our neighbourhoods, in school, at work, on social media, at home and even in sporting arenas across the world.

    “Together, let us stand up for someone’s rights today, tomorrow and every day,” the UN scribe said.

    Ban pointed out that he had also underscored that human rights were at the heart of the work and identity of the UN, adding that this understanding is at the core of its ‘Human Rights Up Front’ initiative.

    He said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminded us that recognition of “the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family was the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”.

    “Step by step, we can build a future based on our shared values of equality and human dignity.

    “That is the spirit that underlies our recently launched “Together” campaign to fight the xenophobia faced by so many refugees and migrants.

    “That is also the spirit we will need to combat extremism, halt the erosion of respect for international humanitarian law, and defend civil society groups facing increasingly harsh measures aimed at preventing them from fulfilling their vital role.

    “The United Nations, along with partners around the globe, must continue to strengthen responses to abuses, and work better to prevent human rights crises.”

    He said he had repeatedly stressed the interdependence of the three pillars of the United Nations:  peace, sustainable development and human rights over the last eight years.

    ”Together, the three pillars form the basis of resilient and cohesive societies rooted in inclusion, justice and the rule of law,” the UN chief said.

  • Internet access: Vital to addressing poverty, climate change – Ban ki-Moon

    Internet access: Vital to addressing poverty, climate change – Ban ki-Moon

    Access to information and communications technology has ben termed necessary to address the challenges of poverty and climate change.

    UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon,stated this in his message to the ongoing 11th session of the Internet Governance Forum in Jalisco, Mexico, delivered by Lenni Montiel, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development.

    “I welcome the theme of this session: ‘Enabling Inclusive and Sustainable Growth’.

    “Indeed, the Internet and information and communication technologies can play an important enabling role in our efforts to fulfil the great promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    “They can deliver smart solutions to address climate change, hunger, poverty and other global challenges.

    “They are tools for providing digital and mobile health care and wider access to education to those in rural areas.

    “They can also help to empower women, generate efficiencies in industrial and agricultural production, and safeguard the environment,” he said.

    The Secretary-General said the 2016 gathering was the first since its 10-year renewal by the General Assembly, which reaffirmed the importance of the Internet Governance Forum multi-stakeholder platform for public policy dialogue.

    “Your efforts have made profound impacts as we strive together to create an equitable, human rights-based knowledge society,” Ban said.

    The UN chief urged the forum  to keep working to ensure universal access to a more open information society.

    “Let us address the challenges we face by empowering people everywhere with these transformative technologies so that they can help build a better future for all,” he said.

  • UN congratulates US president – elect, Trump

    The Secretary-General of the United Nations on Wednesday congratulated the President-elect of the United States of America, Mr Donald Trump.

    Accordint to the statement, the Secretary-General commending Trump for the hard-fought and often divisive campaign.

    “I congratulate Mr. Donald Trump on his election as forty-fifth President of the United States of America. 

    “In the aftermath of a hard-fought and often divisive campaign, it is worth recalling and reaffirming that the unity in diversity of the United States is one of the country’s greatest strengths.  I encourage all Americans to stay true to that spirit.

    “Today’s global challenges demand concerted global action and joint solutions.  As a founding member of the United Nations and permanent member of the Security Council, the United States is an essential actor across the international agenda.  People everywhere look to the United States to use its remarkable power to help lift humanity up and to work for the common good.  

    “The United Nations will count on the new Administration to strengthen the bonds of international cooperation as we strive together to uphold shared ideals, combat climate change, advance human rights, promote mutual understanding and implement the Sustainable Development Goals to achieve lives of peace, prosperity and dignity for all.  

    “Now more than ever, we must mobilize around the principles and common values of the United Nations Charter.  

    “I would also like to express my deep appreciation to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a lifetime commitment to peace, the advancement of women and the well-being of children.  

    “She has been a powerful global symbol of women’s empowerment, and I have no doubt that she will continue to contribute to our work across the world,” the statement read.