COVID-19 was a wake-up call to the world. Millions of lives lost, economies shattered, health systems pushed to the brink and daily life upended for all of humanity.The crisis may have passed, but a harsh lesson remains: the world is woefully unprepared for the next pandemic. Outbreaks of mpox, cholera, polio and Marburg are startling reminders that infectious diseases remain a real and present danger to every country. On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, I call on countries to heed the lessons of past health emergencies to help prepare for the next. This means building resilient public and primary health care systems and making good on the promise of Universal Health Coverage. It means making bold investments in pandemic monitoring, detection and response. And it means ensuring equitable access to life-saving tools like vaccines, treatments and diagnostics. Most of all, it means global solidarity. I call on countries to deliver on the historic Pandemic Agreement to ensure the world works better, together, to prevent and contain future pandemics. Today, and every day, let’s commit to working together for a safer and healthier world for everyone, everywhere. [END]For more information and resources at the following link: https://www.un.org/en/observances/epidemic-preparedness-day

OPENING REMERKS:Secretary-General: It is wonderful to be back in South Africa. I thank President Ramaphosa and Minister Lamola for receiving me today. As we speak, we are witnessing the reshaping of the Middle East, with the changes in the correlation of forces among the key regional actors, with the immense tragedy of the Palestinian people whose right for self-determination whose rights to have their own state must be constantly reaffirmed. But we also see some signs of hope, and signs of hope mainly coming from the end of the Syrian dictatorship. The UN is totally committed to supporting a smooth transition of power, with an inclusive political process in which the rights of all minorities will be fully respected, and paving the way towards a united sovereign Syria with its territorial integrity fully reestablished. My Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, is engaging all key actors to contribute to these objectives. And I fully trust the Syrian people, to be able to choose their own destiny. I am here in South Africa on a mission of solidarity — and a mission for justice. And I am here at a critical time as South Africa assumes the presidency of the G20. This continent’s potential is without question.  Africa is home to a young and growing population, rich cultural and natural diversity, and a tremendous entrepreneurial spirit. But this enormous potential continues to be held back by injustices that are deeply rooted in the history of colonialism.  Injustice in today’s global financial system, which loads countries with debt service costs while denying them access to sufficient low-cost financing to fight poverty, inequality and hunger and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Injustice in worsening climate chaos — which Africans did virtually nothing to cause — that fuels everywhere in Africa floods, storms, hunger and deadly droughts. I stand side-by-side with President Ramaphosa and the people of Africa in this fight for justice on all fronts. Africa needs financial justice. In September, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future. And the Pact includes commitments for ambitious reforms to make the international financial architecture representative of today’s global economy and put the needs of developing countries front and centre. It calls for action to move forward with an SDG Stimulus… To substantially increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks to make them bigger, bolder and better to support developing countries... And to mobilize more international and domestic resources, public and private, for vital investments. Last week I appointed a group of leading experts to galvanize international support for action on debt, and I’m delighted that Trevor Manuel will be part of this important work. Second, Africa needs climate justice. The continent stands on the frontlines of the climate crisis.  Despite causing minimal emissions, climate change is pummeling your people and pounding your economies. Africa is warming faster than the global average. We must limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius to stop this crisis from spiralling even further out of control. By next year, countries must deliver new economy-wide national climate action plans — or so-called NDCs -- aligned with 1.5 degrees. And as the biggest emitters, the G20 must lead the way.  These new plans must cover all emissions and the whole economy, accelerate fossil fuel phase-out, and contribute to the energy transition goals agreed at COP28. And developed countries must also support emerging economies with technological capacities and know-how to drastically reduce fossil fuel consumption and accelerate the renewables revolution swiftly and fairly. And this means creating innovative models of international cooperation, such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership that South Africa has been the first pioneer, and that has been copied afterwards in several countries in other parts of the world, namely in Asia. This also means developed countries fulfilling their finance commitments by keeping their promise to double adaptation finance, and meaningfully contributing to the Loss and Damage Fund.There is a story that not many people know. When the Loss and Damage Fund was created, there were a few pledges, and those pledges represented exactly the same amount that corresponds to the yearly salaries of the ten best players – best football players in the world. This gives an idea that when we talk about the Loss and Damage Fund, we must talk about serious things. This example shows that there is a lot that must be done to make sure that the Loss and Damage Fund effectively supports developing countries. Throughout, the world must help Africa build green economies anchored in renewable energy.  It is an absurdity that Africa is home to 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources — but only two per cent of global investments in solar power. We must change this. And we must ensure that Africa’s critical mineral resources -- that can power the renewables revolution worldwide -- benefit Africans first and most. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past. The UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, co-chaired by South Africa, identified a set of principles and recommendations to empower communities, create accountability, and ensure that clean energy drives equitable and resilient growth, with maximum added value for producing countries, instead of exporting raw material with very low value. Africa also needs technological justice. Africa cannot be left behind in the technological revolution or be denied a voice as the world develops guardrails to harness the benefits of this technology, and minimize the risks. Artificial Intelligence is a perfect example. The Global Digital Compact adopted in September includes the first universal agreement on AI governance that brings every country to the table. It calls for an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations. And it requests options for innovative voluntary financing for AI capacity-building in developing countries for them not to be left behind. And, fundamentally, Africa needs the justice that only peace can bring. The United Nations will keep working to prevent and defuse the conflicts that plague the continent in close cooperation with African regional organizations. This includes the nightmare in Sudan. We need all parties silencing the guns and committing to a path towards sustainable peace and accountability for the Sudanese people. We will also strengthen our collaboration to advance human rights and counter terrorism as well as violent extremism. The UN Security Council’s recent resolution to support African-led peace operations is a welcome step towards strengthening our partnership.   And we must heed the Pact for the Future’s call to explore expanding representation on the UN Security Council -- a glaring example of injustice in the international peace and security architecture.  Africa remains without one single permanent member of the Security Council, which is completely unacceptable. As this year draws to a close, I have a simple message:                               2025 must be a year of justice for Africa. I look forward to working with the G20 Presidency of South Africa to help deliver justice for the people of this great continent. And at the same time, we will be fully supportive to all South Africa initiatives in its role for mediation, in its role for justice, not only in Africa, but in so many other parts of the world.[END]QUESTION AND ANSWERS: Question: Sophie Mokoena from SABC. You spoke about what's happening in Syria is of a concern in terms of the Middle East. Do you think world leaders are able to understand that this Middle East question must be resolved, because the entire region will experience problem? Secretary-General: I think it's our duty to do everything to support the different Syrian leaders in order to make sure that they come together and they are able to guarantee a smooth transition and an inclusive transition, and in which all Syrians can feel that they belong. The alternative doesn't make any sense. Syrians had enough divisions. It's time for unity, and it's time for the reestablishment of its territory. Question: What exactly will you and the President be discussing when you meet later today? Secretary-General: Well, there are many areas of common interests related naturally to different situations in Africa, in the Middle East and further fields. But I'd say the main objective of this meeting is to see how best can the UN support the South African G20 presidency with the objective to make this presidency able to, say, overcome the resistances that exist to change in order for all the reforms that are needed for justice to prevail and International relations to become possible. We know it's not easy, and we recognize that protagonism is not ours, it is of South Africa presidency, but we are here to fully support South Africa presidency of the G20. Question: Where we could see the first African countries to enter the Security Council as the permanent members. And how important is the influence of the global south on the work of the organization? Secretary-General: Well, first of all, in the work of the organization, the global south has a majority in the General Assembly and the global south has today an extremely important role. If you look at the conclusions of the summit of the future, you will easily recognize that they respond essentially to the concerns of developing countries. And that demonstrates that the global south and South Africa played a very important role and had an enormous influence in the way the work everywhere is developed today.  Question: Yes, when the first African countries will enter the Security Council's permanent members? Secretary-General: At the present moment, we have, I would say, a consensus of the P5 that two permanent African members should exist in the Security Council. So, the most difficult obstacle is overcome. Now, obviously the committee that is working in the General Assembly on the reform of the Security Council has dramatically changed its procedure. In the past, they would not even be able to have papers. It was a kind of a secret discussion, and the Secretary-General was reprimanded, if you would speak about Security Council reform, now I talked about Security Council reform permanently, and this committee is working seriously. Now, there are some difficulties with other parts of the world it might be more difficult and then the African countries will have to choose their own representatives. But I am hopeful that I will not finish my mandate as Secretary-General without seeing African permanent members in the Security Council. Question: The UN facing very heavy criticism since Bosnia or UN peacekeeping failed to protect. Kenyan police deported four Turkish teachers, they were asylum seekers. So then, with the request of Turkish Government, Kenya said, we have a strong relation with Turkey, and they were under UN protection, and UNHCR expressed deep concern. What do you want to say about this issue? Secretary-General: So, we are talking about several different issues. One issue is in relation to peacekeeping operations. And one of the things that we have been saying time and time again is that it does make sense to use peacekeeping operations where there is no peace to keep, and obviously the situation we have where you have terrorist organizations operating, where you have high level intensity of fighting, peacekeepers will not have the capacity to protect the people, and that is why we fought. We fought hard for the Security Council to accept that what we need in these situations are peace enforcing and counter terrorism operations that should be led by the African Union, and with assessed contributions, covering 75% of the costs. So, we recognize that when we talk about protection of civilians in situations where there is no peace to keep peacekeeping is not the adequate formula. Now, then we have another kind of questions, which are the questions related to the protection mandates of UN agencies, namely of UNHCR. And I can tell you that when I was the High Commissioner for refugees, we had several situations in which the right of non-refoulement was violated. UNHCR has not the power to avoid it, because obviously UNHCR has only international law supporting it, and as we know, international law is many times violated. But what I can guarantee is that UNHCR will maintain a very active advocacy and in those situations, in my contacts with UNHCR, they have been strongly denouncing any forms of non-refoulement, which means any situation in which someone that is entitled to the right of protection is sent back to a country where they can face persecution. Question: I wanted to know, I mean, this year we've seen over 60 countries hold elections, and you know, most of these countries, you've seen almost a pendulum swing in terms of the politics there is right wing nationalism. Do you believe that you are going to lose the fight in terms of being able to get and operationalize that Loss and Damage Fund when you have countries like the US who are basically denouncing, the president denouncing, you know, the green energy for an example, and in particular, you've been confident about Africa actually getting that permanent seat on the UN Security Council, a the direct link between the current people who’ve been elected to govern their countries and the ability of the UN to be able to effect some of the decisions that they were elected to take? Secretary-General: In relation to the Loss and Damage Fund, which I think was the central part of your question. I’ve been strongly advocating to find innovative sources of financing. And we have given several examples. A levy on the production of oil, a levy on maritime transportation that has meaningful emissions. The same with air transportation. On the other hand, putting a price on carbon and using the price on carbon as a way to help finance the Loss and Damage funds. I would like to see the Loss and Damage Fund with semi-novel innovative forms of financing based on decisions that are taken and can be implemented, and not only dependent on the goodwill of donors, because we have seen that the goodwill of donors is very limited. Question: I'm with Reuters. You've talked about the need for Syria's territorial integrity to be restored, but Israel has already been advancing further into Syrian territory, and Netanyahu has said that the Golan Heights will remain part of Israel for eternity. What are your views on that? And how do you see this situation being resolved? Secretary-General: The concept of eternity is the concept difficult to define. The Golan heights are occupied by Israel, but that occupation is not internationally recognized. And so I would say that eternity would not solve the problem of the violations of the law. Question: The crisis in Sudan is the one of the worst now, at the moment in the world. And we saw that they all the initiatives have failed to address the issue there. So my question here, is there any new kind of approach coming from the UN maybe, with collaboration with the AU and as South Africa is playing a key role in the in the continent. Secretary-General: It is true that we have seen the paralysis of several initiatives that were taken and that have not moved. We are actively engaged at the present moment in trying to make the two sides accept the commitments that they made in Jeddah on the protection of civilians, this is our first priority. At the same time and in contact with others, we will be doing everything we can to allow for new initiatives to be able to overcome the present deadlock. What is the deadlock? Deadlock is that on the sides of Burhan, they say we cannot sit at the same level as the RFS, because we are the legitimate government, that the RFS is a rebel movement. And on the kind of the RFS, they say, either we are treated equally or we don't sit together. So, this deadlock needs to be overcome and it's to be overcome with, I would say, some imagination, and we need to work together to make sure that the two sides are able to sit together, and to make sure that the two sides are able to understand that we must have a ceasefire and we must have a serious political process. Question: You spoke about financial injustice and the legacy of colonialism, and I presume that you are talking about the injustices on the African continent. I wanted to know what your view is in terms of the speed at which redress must come, and what South Africa's role should be in that redress as it heads up the G20 presidency. Secretary-General: The speed has been slow. Resistance of different kinds. There is a resistance to transfer of power by those that have a stronger position. There is a resistance of bureaucracies that like to go on doing what they have always done, even when it doesn't work anymore. And there is a resistance, many times also, of lack of unity in some of the key interlocutors, namely, sometimes also in the developing world. Now, what we are witnessing in relation to climate, what we are witnessing in relation to inequality, poverty and hunger, what we are witnessing in relation to the impact of the consequences of these injustices in peace and security. Look at the multiplicity of conflicts we have on this continent. I think at a certain moment, we'll make those that resist understand that if meaningful changes in the sense of justice, in the sense of fighting inequality and in the sense of offering opportunities to young people everywhere, if those changes are not made, I think our world will know more and more instability, more and more conflict, and in the end, everybody will lose.***

I would like to thank you for this opportunity to engage with you as you begin your discussions on priorities for next year’s G20 Summit under the presidency of South Africa.We have a number of critical opportunities before us to expand social inclusion, tackle poverty and hunger, and drive sustainable development and just energy transitions.These objectives depend on our ability to deploy affordable, long term financial resources with speed and at scale.That is why this joint meeting of finance and sherpa tracks has special importance in ensuring that financial decisions support political aspirations.  South Africa’s theme points the way -- “solidarity, equality and sustainability”.  Reaching all three goals requires justice.  Justice for the developing world -- and justice in particular for Africa and the Africans.So many of the global challenges we face are deeply rooted in the injustice that the African continent historically suffered.  Being from Portugal, the last colonial country in Africa, I know exactly what I am talking about.And indeed the challenges are here in front of us.From poverty, hunger and inequalities…To deepening conflicts and the climate crisis…And at the same time, we recognize that the global governance institutions that reflect the world of 1945 and do not adequately serve or represent developing countries -- in particular African countries.Our inability to tackle these challenges and more is eroding people’s faith in Governments and institutions.  And so the message is clear:  Our institutions need an update.In November, leaders committed, in the Summit of the Future, to reforming the tools of global governance -- from global financial institutions to the United Nations itself, in particular the UN Security Council, which lacks legitimacy and effectiveness.This agenda of reform was clearly reflected in the Pact for the Future, which was adopted at the UN Summit of the Future.And you are critical to bringing that Pact to life and helping to lead this process of reform and renewal.How can we do that?First -- the G20 must lead on delivering financial justice.As you know well, financing is fundamental.From inclusive economic growth, to supporting industrialization and food security, or addressing inequalities.The Pact for the Future includes commitments that provide a road map to reform global financial institutions.These institutions must represent today’s economy -- not the world of decades past.  And developing countries must be represented fairly in their governance.These institutions must also protect economies -- particularly vulnerable ones -- from global shocks.It is time to mend and strengthen the global safety net that during the Covid we detected that it was no longer fit for purpose.And we need to mobilize finance at scale to close the Sustainable Development Goals financing gap.This means substantially increasing the capital and lending capacity of multilateral development banks, making them bigger and bolder.And allow me a personal note.  We are all aware that there is not enough money to address all the challenges that we face.  Development challenges, climate challenges, many other dramatic problems that our world is full of.And when we do not have enough money, the capacity to multiply the money that exits becomes vital.  And that is where I truly believe that an enhanced role of multilateral development banks is absolutely crucial.When your country puts $1 in a project of support in some place of the world, $1 is $1.  If the same country puts $1 in the capital of the multilateral development bank, that $1 is 5, 7, depending now on how the bank has access to financial markets.And indeed I am a true believer that we need to make a strong bet in making bigger and bolder, our multilateral development banks, and that the capitalization of the banks is one of the key instruments.And if I remember well [from] my times as the Prime Minister, when you put some capital in an international financial institution, you do not need to put it in the deficit of your budgets, so there is another advantage for using this kind of mechanisms to multiply the resources that we have and we recognize are not enough for all the challenges that we face.At the same time, it’s very important to boost concessional funding, but to take into account that not only gross domestic product (GDP) must be the metrics, it’s very important to look especially also at vulnerability, and we have just approved at the General Assembly a comprehensive vulnerability index.At the same time, we need action to make the debt resolution architecture work in a more timely and effective manner.  We need meaningful solutions to address the debt crisis, so countries can invest in meeting the basic needs of their people and drive long-term development.The Pact for the Future includes a proposal for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to lead a review of ways to strengthen and improve the sovereign debt architecture in collaboration with key partners.I recognize all the efforts the G20 has made in relation to the so-called framework.  But let’s be clear, we are far from having an instrument able to address the debt problem that exits at global level.A number of examples are positive, but examples do not represent the total reality that we face.And July’s conference on Financing for Development in Spain is a critical opportunity to make progress in all these key areas.  And I urge finance ministries and central banks to fully engage in the preparations for this conference, so leaders can arrive prepared to advance high-impact solutions on financing for development.One of the problems that we still have in international institutions, and I was Prime Minister and I know how difficult it is to coordinate the Government when you have different ministries with different views.The truth is that in many of these institutions, countries are represented by different ministries and so the capacity to have ministers of finance fully engaged in the preparation of these international conferences, to make sure that what makes things move is part of the agenda, is absolutely essential.Second -- we need the G20 to lead on delivering climate justice.Many vulnerable countries are being forced to respond to a crisis they did nothing to create.  Meanwhile, they lack the necessary financial support to seize the benefits of clean energy to spur prosperity and eliminate poverty.As the world’s top emitters, G20 countries must lead the way in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.  But recognizing that every G20 country have to do more in the reduction of emissions.By next year, every Government must deliver new economy-wide national climate plans and align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.These new plans must cover all emissions and the whole economy, accelerate a just fossil fuel phase out, and contribute to the energy transition goals agreed at the twenty-eighth UN Climate Change Conference.At the same time, we need developed countries supporting developing ones with adequate, affordable, and accessible finance and technology.Through meaningful contributions to the new loss and damage fund…By doubling adaptation finance by next year, as promised…And by forging new partnerships -- like the Just Energy Transition Partnership – that South Africa is a pioneer -- to pave the way to a renewable future for all countries, swiftly and fairly.And we must also ensure that Africa’s critical mineral resources -- that can power the renewables revolution worldwide -- benefit Africans first and most.We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past.The UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, co-chaired by South Africa and the European Union, identified a set of principles and recommendations to empower communities, create accountability, and ensure that clean energy drives equitable and resilient growth, with maximum added value in producing countries.And third -- we need the G20 to lead on technological justice. From digital technology to artificial intelligence (AI), the developing world needs to access and benefit from the technological revolution.At September’s Summit of the Future, world leaders endorsed the Global Digital Compact to spur progress across all these areas.The Compact includes the first universal agreement on the international governance of artificial intelligence, ensuring that every country has a seat at the AI table.  It calls for an independent international scientific panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.  And it requests options for innovative voluntary financing for AI capacity-building in developing countries.We need the G20 supporting developing countries as they invest in the digitally driven systems and solutions that their people need to boost prosperity, create jobs and drive sustainable development.Across all these areas, you -- as G20 sherpas, finance ministries and central bank representatives -- are essential in helping to set the agenda and ensure that resources are aligned globally and nationally to bring it to life.I look forward to working with the G20 presidency of South Africa to help transform the words and commitments of the Pact into results for all countries.[END]

On Human Rights Day, we face a harsh truth.Human rights are under assault. Tens of millions of people are mired in poverty, hunger, poor health and education systems that have not yet fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.Global inequalities are running rampant. Conflicts are intensifying.   International law is wilfully ignored.Authoritarianism is on the march while civic space is shrinking.  Hateful rhetoric is fuelling discrimination, division, and outright violence.  And women’s rights continue to be rolled back in law and practice. This year’s theme reminds us that human rights are about building the future -- right now.All human rights are indivisible. Whether economic, social, civic, cultural or political, when one right is undermined, all rights are undermined. We must stand up for all rights -- always. Healing divisions and building peace. Tackling the scourges of poverty and hunger.  Ensuring health care and education for all. Advancing justice and equality for women, girls and minorities. Standing up for democracy, press freedoms and workers’ rights.Promoting the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.And defending human rights defenders as they carry out their vital work.The recently adopted Pact for the Future reinforced the world’s commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this important day, let’s protect, defend and uphold all human rights for all people. [END]Video Message: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+Human+Rights+Day+4+Dec+24/3318505_MSG+SG+HUMAN+RIGHTS+DAY+04+DEC+24.mp4 For more information and resources at the following link:https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day