Secretary General's end-of-year press
conference
Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. Bonjour, Mesdames et Messieurs,
Let me begin by wishing you all the best for a Happy New Year. I thank
you for all your cooperation and your hard work last year.
We are wrapping up a pivotal year in which the United Nations marked its
70th anniversary and took landmark steps to advance sustainable development and
climate change agreement.
The Paris Agreement on climate change is a sign of hope in troubled
times. It is a triumph for multilateralism that shows the United Nations
delivering results the world desperately needs.
President François Hollande and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius of
France showed inspiring leadership -- including by refusing to be deterred by
the terrorist attacks of 13 November.
I thank all the Government leaders, businesspeople and civil society
leaders who made this achievement possible.
The Paris Agreement surpassed expectations. World leaders recognized
that we could and must do better than settling for the lowest common
denominator. So they reached higher. The Paris Agreement gives us Plan A for the
planet – A for ambition.
Since my first day in office nine years ago, in 2007, I have pushed very
hard for this agreement. Now, I will press world leaders again to translate
promise into practice.
We must also follow through on the other milestones of 2015.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is our overarching guide,
crystallized in 17 goals to end poverty and build peaceful societies.
The Addis Ababa Action Agenda adopted in July is our blueprint for
financing for development. Investing in development early will avert crises down
the road.
The Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction agreed in March points
the way toward resilience.
Taken together, these plans and pacts have set the stage for a future
that leaves no one behind.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year we have seen epic flows of refugees and internally displaced
people. As we enter 2016, the world needs to aim for a new global compact on
human mobility. Demonizing and scapegoating these people based on their
religion, ethnicity or country of origin has no place in the 21st century.
The United Nations has just asked for $20 billion to meet next year’s
humanitarian needs -- five times the level of one decade ago. Donors have been
exceedingly generous -- but we will likely enter 2016 with a funding gap of more
than $10 billion -- the largest ever.
The World Humanitarian Summit meeting in May 2016 in Istanbul will be a
critical moment to address systemic funding problems, and agree on concrete
steps to better prepare for and respond to crises.
The world must invest more political energy in preventing and ending
conflict and in addressing violations of human rights – our best early warning
signs of greater trouble to follow.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this week, efforts to resolve conflict through
diplomacy are front and centre.
In Libya, the parties are close to a desperately needed agreement that
would help the country move beyond prolonged crisis.
In Yemen, talks began yesterday in Switzerland towards a lasting
cease-fire and a resumption of the political transition. Civilians have borne
the brunt of the conflict and we must be doing everything to end the bloodshed
and ease their plight.
On Syria, the international community has actively re-engaged in pushing
for a political settlement. The International Syria Support Group will meet in
New York on Friday, 18 December, followed by a meeting of the Security Council.
Syria is an open sore on the Middle East and the wider world. We are pressing
for a nationwide cease-fire and for the start of negotiations in January on a
political transition – and we must not relent.
Countering the threat posed by Da’esh, Boko Haram, al-Shabab and other
terrorist groups is crucial. Next month, I will present to the member states of
the United Nations a plan of action on preventing violent extremism. Many of
today’s conflicts -- and often, unfortunately, the response to them -- have
provided a breeding ground for the spread of terrorism and violent
extremism.
I am alarmed by the escalating violence in Burundi. What we have seen
over the past few days is chilling. The country is on the brink of a civil war
that risks engulfing the entire region. I have asked Mr. Jamal Benomar, my
Special Advisor, to go to the region before the end of this week to speak to the
African Union, the countries in the region and, of course, the government of
Burundi. An inclusive political dialogue is needed urgently. We must do all we
can to prevent mass violence and act decisively should it erupt.
In South Sudan, the United Nations peacekeeping operation continues to
shelter more than 185,000 civilians – a major advance in our human protection
efforts. But that is not a permanent solution, and many more remain internally
displaced and under threat of violence. I urge the parties to establish the
transitional institutions before the end of January.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
These are daunting situations. I take heart from the political progress
and smooth transfers of power over the past year, including in Sri Lanka and
Nigeria.
The transition in the Central African Republic is also moving ahead,
with the constitutional referendum last week and presidential and legislative
elections at the end of this month.
I am encouraged by progress in the negotiations on Cyprus. A solution to
decades of division is within reach.
In the Americas, Colombians are edging closer to the end of the
continent’s longest-running conflict.
In Myanmar, the Government and Army are cooperating with Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi for a stable transition. Continued efforts are needed to begin an
inclusive dialogue that brings marginalized ethnic groups into the process. The
United Nations and I personally have supported the process for several years. We
will continue to do so.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The year 2015 has brought both breakthrough and
horror.
The United Nations continues to strengthen itself, including through
wide-ranging assessments of peace operations, peacebuilding and our future role
and capacities.
Despite the ups and downs, from peace processes to climate talks, we
cannot afford to let up. Too much is at stake. Millions of people depend on us
to keep pressing ahead.
I did not lose faith during the years of ups and downs of climate
negotiations.
I continue to believe in the United Nations – and in our staff, many of
whom have made the ultimate sacrifice.
I continue to have faith in the ability of the world’s people to come
together for the common good -- as was just demonstrated so emphatically in
Paris.
With that spirit, we can make 2016 a year of accomplishment and truly
build a life of dignity for we the peoples.
Thank you. Merci beaucoup.
_______________
17/12/2015
