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The Sustainable Development Goals in India
India is critical in determining the success of the SDGs, globally. At the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, “Sustainable development of one-sixth of humanity will be of great consequence to the world and our beautiful planet. It will be a world of fewer challenges and greater hope; and, more confident of its success”. NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s premier think tank, has been entrusted with the task of coordinating the SDGs, mapping schemes related to the SDGs and their targets, and identifying lead and supporting ministries for each target. In addition, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has been leading discussions for developing national indicators for the SDGs. State governments are key to India’s progress on the SDGs as they are best placed to ‘put people first’ and to ensuring that ‘no one is left behind’. The UN Country Team in India supports NITI Aayog, Union ministries and state governments in their efforts to address the interconnectedness of the goals, to ensure that no one is left behind and to advocate for adequate financing to achieve the SDGs.
Publication
08 July 2025
UN in India Digest June 2025
In this edition of the UN India Digest, #TeamUNinIndia takes you through some of the impactful work we've been part of this past month. From driving AI innovation in telecom networks to supporting inclusive urban planning in Odisha, and tackling plastic pollution in India, learn more about our work to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Speech
02 January 2025
Celebrating the dynamic UN-India partnership!
As we step into the New Year, it is a moment to both reflect and look forward. From breakthroughs in public health and food security to major advances in poverty reduction, technology and climate action, 2024 has proven to be another transformative year in India – as it has been for us at the United Nations in India, all 26 entities partnering with government, civil society and business across every State and Union Territory, as well as with our international development partners. Fresh off hosting the G20 presidency last year, India reinforced its role as a leading ‘voice of the Global South,’ driving international discourse on climate justice, food security and health equity among other issues central to the Sustainable Development Goals. In an era of deep political polarization and tensions worldwide, it also demonstrated the strength and resilience of its democracy, the world’s largest, with more than 640 million people voting in the national election. In parallel, India hosted major UN gatherings on key multilateral issues old and new. At the 2024 ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, held in New Delhi, new global agreements were reached on critical issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and digital governance. With a strong focus on digital public infrastructure and emergency communications, India is at the forefront of setting digital standards that will impact the world for years to come.
The country’s cultural heritage shone brightly on the global stage as India played host to the annual UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time. Notably, Assam’s moidams — the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty — became India’s 43rd site on the World Heritage List.
On the ground, too, 2024 saw significant innovations across the country tackling India’s most pressing challenges with the UN proud to play a role. For example, Odisha launched a new 24-hour ‘Grain ATM’, a collaboration between WFP and the State Government. This technological advancement streamlines the public distribution system, reducing waiting times and ensuring that the most vulnerable have greater food security. UN Women led collective action on gender equality, globally the ‘unfinished business of our time’ in the words of the UN Secretary-General, while ILO convened the system to help unleash India’s unequalled potential demographic dividend.
Another major milestone was reached with India formally declaring the end of trachoma as a public health problem, overcoming one of the leading global causes of blindness. By implementing the WHO SAFE strategy — targeting treatment, prevention, and hygiene — India dramatically reduced infection rates. This success underscores the power of coordinated efforts between government, health-care workers, and international partners. India’s digital public infrastructure continues to set global benchmarks. The U-WIN platform, supported by UNDP, has been instrumental in modernizing vaccine distribution, ensuring accessibility and equity in immunization. This leap builds on previous successes like eVIN and CoWIN, and links with work of WHO and UNICEF, strengthening India’s ability to respond to public health challenges both now and in the future.
This year saw the update and release of the India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) supported by UNDP. This strategic plan aims to set nature on a recovery trajectory by embracing a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach.
The UN family in India also celebrated several milestones in 2024. UNICEF marked 75 years of programming in the country to improve the health, safety and rights of children, while UNFPA commemorated 50 years, having contributed significantly to advancing sexual and reproductive health, especially for women and girls.Inclusion remained a central theme of the UN’s work in India this year. A joint non-discrimination statement on the employment of persons with disabilities was signed by all 26 UN agencies operating in the country.We formed a Multilateral Coordination Group with the government to bring together UN agencies, tailor programs for the welfare of persons with disabilities, and adapt global best practices to the Indian context.
As we approach the UN’s 80th anniversary next year, the momentum gained this past year will be crucial in advancing the initiatives outlined in the Pact for the Future that was adopted by all UN Member States, including India, at UN Headquarters in September. This landmark agreement, along with its key annexes — the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations — reflects a global commitment to building a peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive future, and to making the UN more effective and relevant for dealing with tomorrow’s challenges. India’s leadership in adopting and advancing these resolutions, particularly in strengthening South-South cooperation and prioritizing the voices of youth, will be vital in shaping the future.
Across six outcome groups of the Cooperation Framework, the UN in India has consistently driven impactful results through collective action and partnerships. Just a few of the highlights include:Health and well-being: Through the U-WIN platform, over 17 million pregnant women and 59 million children have been digitally registered, and more than 264 million vaccine doses have been tracked.Nutrition and food security: More than 12.3 million Indians, including children and breastfeeding mothers, received nutritious fortified foods.Quality education: We helped train 18,000 teachers as Health and Wellness Ambassadors across 26,000 schools spanning 33 districts.Economic growth and decent work: Conducted health and safety training to improve the working conditions at nearly 300 tea-growing estates.Environment, climate, WASH, and resilience: 2.9 million tons of CO2 emissions reduced through energy conservation and climate-friendly initiatives Empowering people, communities, and institutions: Supported the government in expanding gender-responsive budgeting in six states, leading to increased funding for women’s empowerment and gender equality.One of the standout moments of 2024 was when Major Radhika Sen from the Indian Army, serving as an Indian peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of Congo, received this year’s UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
Additionally, the fourth edition of the SDG India Index produced by NITI Aayog with support from the UN showed India’s score rising to 71 out of 100, up from 66 in the previous edition.As we enter 2025, the race to achieve the SDGs enters a critical phase. With only half of the Decade of Action left, the urgency is unmistakable. This year has demonstrated the power of purpose and partnerships. From safeguarding cultural heritage to pioneering advancements in technology, India is showing how nations can drive sustainable growth while addressing global challenges. The United Nations, a humble partner working alongside India in this journey, remains committed to ensuring that progress benefits everyone. As I could not have begun to fully cover here the wide range of collaborations in which the UNCT is engaged, please have a look at our monthly newsletters on our website, or the annual report which will be issued within the first quarter of 2025, for more exhaustive stories of our work. The path ahead is steep, but with shared resolve, a more equitable and sustainable future is within reach. India is uniquely positioned among nations to accelerate development results at a scale and pace sufficient to give the global SDG push a vital boost, and with it optimism towards 2030.On behalf of the UN in India family, I am pleased to share our deep appreciation for your partnership in the year that was, and in anticipation of the important collective path ahead.Dhanyavaad!Shombi Sharp
United Nations Resident Coordinator, India
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Story
15 January 2025
WMO joins IMD’s 150th celebration
India recorded its hottest year on record in 2024, with extreme heat impacting human health, agriculture, water resources, and energy. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted these challenges during the 150th anniversary celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 14 January. The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh, celebrated IMD’s achievements and introduced Vision-2047, aimed at making India a climate-resilient nation by the time it celebrates 100 years of independence.“We aim to modernise meteorology and reduce weather-related fatalities,” Modi said. “This Vision will contribute to a sustainable future.”Saulo praised IMD’s role in disaster risk reduction and its support to sectors such as agriculture, water resource management, and public health.“IMD’s legacy has significantly enhanced India’s resilience and contributed to global efforts,” she said.India, a founding member of WMO since 1950, has been represented on its Executive Board for over 60 years, longer than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region. IMD’s role in severe weather forecasting, flash flood warnings, and seasonal climate outlooks was also acknowledged. “Accurate forecasts and coordinated disaster management have saved countless lives,” Saulo remarked, noting that IMD’s commitment to early warning systems aligns with WMO’s Early Warnings for All campaign to safeguard people from extreme weather worldwide.
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Story
16 October 2024
Global conference begins on future of digital tech standards
Thousands of tech experts, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and government officials have gathered in New Delhi for a global United Nations-run conference on the future of technology standards. The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) formally opened on 15 October in the capital’s Bharat Mandapam venue with an opening ceremony featuring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. WTSA, taking place in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time, runs until 24 October. It is being held alongside the India Mobile Congress. Held every four years, WTSA sets out priorities for experts around the world who work year-round to develop the standards established by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The assembly’s opening heard calls for universal connectivity, the need for ethical artificial intelligence (AI) and how digital inclusion can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
In his remarks, Mr. Modi stressed that “security, dignity and equity” are the principles on which discussions at the assembly and congress should be based.
“Our objective should be that no country, no region and no community should be left behind the in this digital era,” he said.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the world had a lot to learn from what India has already accomplished with its digital public infrastructure. “This global gathering calls for bold, collective action. In the next 10 days, we can strengthen the role of international standards as the bedrock of global digital governance,” she said.
ITU's standardization work is driven by the contributions and consensus decisions of the agency’s membership, which includes 194 Member States and more than 1,000 member companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.
WTSA reviews the strategy, structure and working methods of ITU's standardization arm every four years. It also approves the mandates and appoints the leadership teams of expert groups for international standardization.
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In his remarks, Mr. Modi stressed that “security, dignity and equity” are the principles on which discussions at the assembly and congress should be based.
“Our objective should be that no country, no region and no community should be left behind the in this digital era,” he said.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the world had a lot to learn from what India has already accomplished with its digital public infrastructure. “This global gathering calls for bold, collective action. In the next 10 days, we can strengthen the role of international standards as the bedrock of global digital governance,” she said.
ITU's standardization work is driven by the contributions and consensus decisions of the agency’s membership, which includes 194 Member States and more than 1,000 member companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.
WTSA reviews the strategy, structure and working methods of ITU's standardization arm every four years. It also approves the mandates and appoints the leadership teams of expert groups for international standardization.
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Story
12 September 2025
FAO presents the SOFI 2025 Report in New Delhi
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a presentation-cum-discussion session on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report 2025 on 9 September 2025 at the UN House, New Delhi. The session was presented by Máximo Torero Cullen, Chief Economist, FAO, who shared the key findings of the report, followed by an open floor discussion. The session was chaired by Professor Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, who set the context with an overview of India’s progress on food and nutrition security. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India, during his opening remarks, emphasised that the SOFI report underscores the importance of strong institutions, innovation, and inclusive policies as the foundation of resilient agrifood systems that can withstand future challenges. The session was attended by more than 50 individuals from government departments, UN agencies international organizations, and academia.Presenting the findings of the SOFI Report 2025, Máximo highlighted, “Hunger is declining, but the pace remains slow. The number of undernourished people fell from 695 million in 2022 to 673 million in 2024, but nearly 2.3 billion people still lack regular access to adequate food.” The report highlighted that while global food insecurity has gradually declined since 2021, improvements are uneven. Máximo emphasised, “Much of the progress in Southern Asia has been driven by India”. Gains have been made in Southern Asia, particularly in India, as well as in Southeast Asia and South America. However, Western Asia and many parts of Africa have witnessed deterioration.On healthy diets, the findings highlighted that currently, around 2.6 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, which is down from 2.9 billion in 2020. Yet nutrition targets remain off track, and inequalities persist, particularly for women and rural areas. A key concern raised was global food price inflation, which rose sharply from 2.3 percent in 2020 to 13.6 percent in 2023. During the discussion, participants explored the paradox of food prices rising even as affordability indicators showed improvement. Dr. Torero clarified that government support and social protection measures helped prevent demand from collapsing. This led to a broader exchange on the role of social protection in improving food access and stimulating production. The dialogue also covered cultural and behavioural aspects of food consumption, such as fasting or restrictive diets, and the diversion of food crops like maize for animal feed and biofuels. Looking ahead, the future calls for more coordinated, informed, and restrained policy responses. Governments demonstrated better awareness in the recent crisis by avoiding panic-driven trade interventions, instead adopting shorter and more targeted measures. Strengthening transparency and market information systems, balancing immediate relief with structural reforms, and fostering coordination between fiscal and monetary institutions are essential.[END]
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Story
11 September 2025
From Margins to Model: Odisha’s Transgender Community Leads a Green Housing Revolution
In Bhubaneswar’s Pragati Vihar, the Chief Minister this week handed over work orders to members of the transgender community for 44 new houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY). Backed by a ₹2.5 lakh subsidy and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the project offers not just safe housing but a landmark step in dignity and low-carbon, climate-resilient living The lanes of Pragati Vihar, once lined with tin-roofed, heat-trapping structures, are now buzzing with anticipation. “We have lived here for more than a decade, always hoping for something better,” said one resident, who dreams of opening a tailoring shop once she moves into her new home. Another spoke of starting a dairy outlet. A third wants a beauty parlour above her house. For the 80-odd transgender residents, the houses are more than walls—they are stepping stones toward self-reliance.Green Homes, New Futures What makes this project stand out is not only its social impact but also its pioneering climate approach. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), working with the Odisha Government, has designed the Pragati Vihar redevelopment as a pilot in low-carbon, climate-resilient housing. The homes will use fly ash bricks, aerated concrete blocks, bio-based panels, and recycled construction waste, cutting down on the heavy carbon footprint of cement and steel. Passive cooling designs, reflective roof paints, and rooftop solar panels will reduce heat stress and energy use, making the houses cooler, cheaper to run, and environmentally sound. UNEP India’s Country Director, Balakrishna Pisupati described the vision, “Addressing emissions from the built environment calls for more than isolated fixes. It calls for changes in how we design, build, source materials, and work across the value chain. UNEP is working with the Odisha Government to demonstrate this under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana project.” A Community at the Centre The settlement, established in 2011, has grown from 20 homes to 35, but living conditions remained precarious. It was only after land rights were secured under Odisha’s Jaga Mission that the community became eligible for housing subsidies. From there, Pragati Vihar’s residents took charge of shaping their future. Through the Slum Dwellers Association, eight community representatives worked with UNEP and partners to co-design the new houses. Decisions were collective: all 48 homes would follow the same plan, plots would be equal, and construction would be phased so no one would be left without shelter during the rebuild. Beyond housing, the plan includes a multipurpose community centre that will act as a resilience hub, training space for masons in green construction, and a gathering point for cultural life.Carbon and Inclusion Hand in Hand The urgency is clear. India’s building sector emits about 22% of the nation’s annual carbon dioxide, a figure set to rise as millions of homes are built in the next decade. By 2030, India is expected to add 5.7 billion square metres of new building stock. Without change, these buildings will lock in emissions until the late 21st century. UNEP’s Buildings and sustainable cooling solutions Advisor, Rahul Agnihotri explained the approach, “Transitioning to a future of low-carbon built environments requires a whole life-cycle analysis approach. It is crucial to adopt the ‘avoid (building with less) – shift (different materials, circular approaches) – improve (improved design)’ strategy.” For Pragati Vihar, this means reusing doors, windows, asbestos sheets, and fittings from demolished homes, and tapping Odisha’s industrial by-products like fly ash and blast furnace slag for construction. The result will be homes that are not only affordable and resilient but also lighter on the planet. A Signal for India’s Housing Future For the residents, though, the project is deeply personal. “I dream to have my own small pet farm,” said one young resident. Another spoke of creating an ashram for the elderly above her new house. Such ambitions reveal how stability opens the door to imagination. As construction begins after the monsoon in August-September 2025, Pragati Vihar will serve as proof that sustainability and social justice can be built together. By combining cutting-edge green materials with the empowerment of one of society’s most marginalised groups, Odisha is sending a message to the rest of India: the homes of the future must be not only low-carbon, but also inclusive.
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28 August 2025
Indian rice goes global in the fight against hunger
In a world where more than 670 million people still go to bed hungry each night, a powerful alliance is taking shape in India. The Indian Government and the United Nations World Food Programme have joined forces in an ambitious partnership to turn India's agricultural abundance into a lifeline for the globe's most vulnerable communities.Under the pact, India will provide 200,000 tonnes of fortified rice over five years from Food Corporation of India warehouses to support humanitarian food and nutrition needs worldwide. This Letter of Intent signed by the Indian Government allows WFP to distribute this rice to populations in crisis zones.This collaboration underscores the strength of global partnerships. By sourcing rice from India, WFP will utilize the resources of an agricultural surplus nation to deliver life-saving aid and make tangible progress against hunger."We deeply appreciate India’s steadfast commitment to fostering a food-secure and peaceful world," said Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director, WFP. "This partnership reflects our joint intent to strengthen global efforts and ensure sustained support for those in need," he added.Expressing gratitude, WFP’s Deputy Executive Director lauded India’s contribution to the fight against hunger, especially as the world faces rising food insecurity amid constrained humanitarian funding. The initiative signifies the culmination of the discussions at the February 2025 Executive Board side event in Rome, where representatives from the Indian Government and WFP explored ways to collaborate.
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20 August 2025
In Karnataka, women scoop UNDP prize
In Karnataka’s drylands, where climate change has turned farming into a gamble, a collective of women farmers is rewriting the odds and their experiment in resilience has just won global recognition. Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha is one of 10 winners of the UNDP Equator Prize 2025, a biennial award celebrating Indigenous and local communities reimagining the relationship between people and the planet. What began as a savings group of 15 women has grown into a network supporting more than 5,000 farmers across 30 villages, promoting multi-cropping, solar-powered processing units, and seed banks conserving more than 250 indigenous varieties. By combining traditional knowledge with regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and market access, the collective aims to restore biodiversity, strengthen food security, and empowers marginalized women and young people as “agripreneurs”, advancing both climate resilience and social equity. Its decentralized, scalable model, now replicated across several Indian states, addresses environmental and socio-economic challenges while reinforcing the resilience of dryland farming systems. Announced on 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, this year’s prize highlights initiatives under the theme Nature for Climate Action, with a sharp focus on women- and youth-led solutions. For India, the recognition is doubly symbolic: millets — once dismissed as “coarse grains” — are now celebrated as climate-smart superfoods, gaining global attention through the UN’s International Year of Millets in 2023. This year’s other winners hail from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Tanzania, demonstrating the power of community-led solutions at the frontlines of climate change. With this cohort, the Equator Prize network now includes more than 300 community-based organizations across 84 countries since 2002. Each winning initiative will receive $10,000 and be recognized during a high-level online award ceremony later this year, with the opportunity to participate in global events including the UN General Assembly high-level period and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, this November. ***
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20 August 2025
Overcoming gender bias in AI: How UN Women’s AI School is Shaping the Future for Women Leaders
Seeking a shift from fear to empowerment, earlier this year UN Women launched a first – an AI School aimed at equipping gender equality advocates with the skills to harness AI for social change, advocacy, and organizational transformation. Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world at breakneck speed—and UN Women is making sure women aren’t left behind. Launched by their Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the program’s reach is wide, targeting feminist leaders, climate justice activists, entrepreneurs, academics, and professionals from underrepresented communities. “We want women and girls at the policy table, in design rooms, and in every conversation shaping the AI economy,” Karim said.“This started from the urgent need to make sure women and girls are not left behind,” said Emad Karim, who leads the programme. “Our vision is to position Asia and the Pacific as a leader in AI literacy and innovation for gender equality… not just as users, but as designers, contributors, and shapers of AI infrastructure that is inclusive, safe, and responsible.” Emad Karim pointed to a glaring gap: “Research looked at over 138 countries national AI policies - only 24 referenced gender.” The School aims to change that, preparing participants to engage in policy-making, design gender-responsive AI, and address issues like bias and technology-facilitated violence.The curriculum covers everything from AI fundamentals and responsible design to sector-specific modules like AI in communications, disaster risk reduction, and climate action. “We explain when AI works best, when it doesn’t, and how to adapt it for non-profit and development contexts,” Karim said. “It’s about knowing the tools, but also the risks - privacy, copyright, trust, and when human-led storytelling is more powerful.”AI’s built in gender bias – it’s about the data models Bias in AI is a core concern. “Out of 133 AI systems analysed, 44% showed gender bias,” Karim noted. “That comes from the data—and our internet is biased. With most AI designers being men, safety considerations for women are often missed. We’re seeing an increase in deepfakes, revenge porn, stalking… most of the victims are women.”Yet, he sees opportunity: “AI can help women bypass traditional barriers. You don’t need a computer science degree to build a website or an app anymore. It can level the playing field in education, entrepreneurship, and advocacy—if we make sure access is equitable.”Impact is already visible. Success stories from participants reveal a shift from fear to empowerment—participants who once saw AI as a threat now use it to develop gender-responsive innovations.“One participant came in terrified of AI, convinced it would doom the world,” Karim recalled. “After training, she was using it to cut project timelines from weeks to hours, and she’d started speaking up in policy discussions. She told me it was eye-opening.”The new literacy calls for being AI savvyAs the School expands, including to India, Karim stresses adaptability: “We customise content for each country, looking at their AI readiness, gender gaps, and national priorities. The goal is always the same—more women and girls at the table where AI’s future is decided.”His advice to women in the AI era? “Be AI-literate—this is the new literacy. Know the models, the strengths, the risks. We shouldn’t trust AI blindly, nor reject it outright. The future of AI depends on us—on whether we design it for equality, justice, and dignity, or let it widen the gaps we’re trying to close.”This story is adapted from UN News Hindi.
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Press Release
18 September 2025
80th Session of the UNGA
OPENING REMARKS:Secretary-General: Leaders are making their way to New York for the UN’s eightieth anniversary and high-level week of the General Assembly.Some call it the World Cup of diplomacy. But this cannot be about scoring points -- it must be about solving problems. There is too much at stake.We are gathering in turbulent -- even uncharted -- waters.Geopolitical divides widening, conflicts raging, impunity escalating, our planet overheating, new technologies racing ahead without guardrails, inequalities widening by the hour, and international cooperation is straining under pressures unseen in our lifetimes.But next week every country will be here -- including nearly 150 Heads of State and Government. This is an opportunity we cannot miss.UN week offers every possibility for dialogue and mediation. Every opportunity for forging solutions. Thousands of leaders’ meetings will take place. I will hold over 150 bilateral meetings myself.I will use every one of them to press leaders to contact each other, to speak directly with each other, to bridge divides, to reduce risks, to find solutions, to get serious.People are demanding answers and action. Actions that match the gravity of the challenges our world faces. Actions that meet the expectations of all those on the outside looking in.Let this be a week of solutions.For peace -- in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and beyond -- and for a pathway to a just, lasting peace in the Middle East based on a two-State solution.For climate -- with countries stepping up with ambitious new national climate action plans that keep the 1.5°C limit alive.For responsible innovation -- as we launch the Global Dialogue on AI Governance to put humanity at the centre of technological change with every country at the table.For women and girls -- with concrete plans for equality as we mark the thirtieth anniversary of the landmark Beijing conference.For financing development at a first-of-its-kind biennial summit bringing together leaders of international financial institutions and Heads of State and focused on implementing commitments on financing the Sustainable Development Goals.For a stronger United Nations -- by backing our UN80 Initiative to equip the UN for a world that no longer looks like 1945 -- or even last year.The list is long because the needs are great. Our times demand more than posturing and promises. They demand that leaders make progress and follow through. To honour the Charter, pursue peace, advance sustainable development, ensure human rights and confront global challenges together.The United Nations is the place. Next week is the time. Leaders must get serious -- and deliver. Thank you.[END] QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:Question: Thank you, Secretary-General, on behalf of UNCA for this press conference. My question is on Gaza. A UN Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, and the top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, incited these acts. What’s your reaction on that? And are you planning to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu next week or any other senior Israeli officials? And if I may, in your opinion, can the US role in mediating with Israel and Qatar help in going back to the negotiating table? Thank you so much.Secretary-General: There are many questions at the same time. Well, as I’ve said time and time again in these and different similar circumstances, it is not in the attributions of the Secretary-General to do the legal determination of genocide. That belongs to the [appropriate] judicial entities, namely the International Court of Justice (ICJ). And let us be aware that at the present moment, the International Court of Justice is dealing with a case whose name is “Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip”. Now, the fact that I have not the competence to do the legal determination of genocide doesn’t mean that I do not consider that what’s happening in Gaza, after the horrific attacks by Hamas in October two years ago, what happens in Gaza today is horrendous. We are seeing massive destruction of neighbourhoods, now the systematic destruction of Gaza City. We are seeing massive killing of civilians in a way that I do not remember in any conflict since I am Secretary-General. And we are seeing dramatic obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid. At a certain moment, it completely stopped. With the consequences that the Palestinian people are suffering an horrendous situation with famine, with no access to any kind of health support and with continued displacement and imminent risk of losing their lives at any moment. So, this is something we cannot forget, independently of the names that are given. The truth is that this is something that is morally, politically, and legally intolerable. Now the second question was about Qatar and the United States. I believe the objective of the meeting is to strengthen the bilateral agreement on defence. Qatar has already announced that Qatar was ready to start again the mediation. And that mediation is absolutely vital when we see the new phase of destruction of Gaza City -- to have a ceasefire, an immediate ceasefire with immediate and unconditional release of hostages and with effective humanitarian aid being distributed. So, let’s hope that this meeting with US will help the US put pressure on Israel for seriously accepting a negotiation. Question: Will you meet Prime Minister Netanyahu this week?Secretary-General: I will be delighted to receive Prime Minister Netanyahu if he asks for that, as I will do with any other member Head of State. And of course, according to the rules, I will inform, if that is the case, the International Criminal Court (ICC). But the gravity of the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories more than justifies that, if the Prime Minister of Israel wants a meeting, for me to grant it. Question: Mr. Secretary-General, you said that next week should be a week of actions and solutions to the world’s myriad conflicts, crises, and challenges. But in an even more deeply divided and polarized world, what realistic chance for breakthrough for peace in Ukraine, Sudan, or anywhere else? And for tackling climate change and generating more financing for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) or for the United Nations? Secretary-General: Well, I think this is an important opportunity in relation to all the conflicts. I’ll be meeting, hopefully, the Russian Federation delegation, the Ukrainian delegation. I will be meeting at least the Middle East countries and some friends of Israel. I’ll be meeting Sudan. I will have a mediation again, meeting with the two sides of Cyprus and different other areas where we are involved, DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and many other places. And I believe that heads of certain Governments have an opportunity as they are together here, and as most of the conflicts we have today are conflicts with a several number of actors; look at Libya, look at DRC. This is an opportunity to bring them together, and we’ll do our best to do so. There will be a formal meeting on Somalia, and I hope that there will be several other meetings on all the other issues, and we’ll be actively engaged in promoting them in order to be able to be as close as possible to re-launch seriously the peace processes the world needs.Obviously, this is also an occasion for countries to make commitments. I hope many will present their national determined contributions on climate, hopefully aligned with 1.5°C. This will be the moment in which we will announce, we’ll make the invitation for candidates for the high-level independent scientific panel on artificial intelligence. This will be an occasion for… I hope many countries understand that it is absolutely essential to increase the funds available to developing countries in all aspects. And this is not only through ODA (official development assistance), we know, but it is through the reform of multilateral institutions; it is through the increase of the action of multilateral development banks; it is through many innovative forms of financing that are perfectly possible, independent of the fact that the direct aid to development will be very difficult to increase with the position of the United States and also the position of other countries that have to increase or believe they have to increase their defence expenditures. But we need to have the imagination to find many other sources of financing, and we know that this is possible. I’ve said time and time again, if you put $1 in a project, it’s $1. If we put $1 in the capital of a multilateral development bank, it’s $5. So there are ways to multiply resources that are scarce, and this will be in the centre of our discussion in relation to development, the first time that we’ll be gathering not only Heads of State, but international financial institutions, G20 members to seriously look how can we overcome the present obstacles and be able to re-launch the Sustainable Development Goals. So there are really problems. There are really limitations, but there are ways to overcome them, and that is why this discussion is so important. Question: Secretary-General, Sherwin Bryce-Pease, South African Broadcasting. Good to see you, sir. I want to return to the question of genocide in Gaza. Navi Pillay, the Chair of the Commission of Inquiry, said the following today: It’s our hope that this report will be read by the upper-ups, including the Secretary-General at the UN, and we hope that the facts should influence the high-level leaders at the UN to also call it what it is, a genocide. “There is no need to wait for the ICJ to declare it a genocide.” Human Rights Watch has declared it a genocide. Amnesty International has declared it a genocide. A world leading association on genocide scholars has called it a genocide. South Africa has called it a genocide. Many countries have. Is the United Nations not now out of step from the prevailing and growing consensus that this is a genocide in Gaza?Secretary-General: The United Nations has several bodies, and the role of the Secretary-General is to be aligned with the bodies of the United Nations. So, obviously, if that is decided by the Security Council or by the General Assembly, the Secretary-General will be abiding by those resolutions. But until now, those resolutions were not made. Question: Thank you, Secretary-General. Michelle Nichols from Reuters. Thank you for the briefing. You also hope to meet with President [Donald] Trump next week for the first time since he returned to office in January. What do you hope to achieve during that meeting?Secretary-General: Well, I would be delighted to meet President Trump, and the US is a central player in world affairs. There are many public positions that both of us have, but I do believe that there are areas where our efforts can be put together. I’ll give an example. We talk about peace mediation. The UN has very strong efforts in peace mediation in different parts of the world where we have people that know all the interlocutors, people that have a wide experience of the economic, social, and other root causes and the human rights problems of the countries that have a relationship of trust and confidence with some of the key actors. But we have no carrots and no sticks. And as we have no carrots and no sticks in a world in which we have the geopolitical divides that we have, it’s extremely difficult to make the protagonists of the present conflicts understand the need to come to peace. Now, the United States has carrots and sticks. So in some situations, if you are able to combine the two, I think we can have a very effective way to make sure that some peace processes at least can lead to a successful result. Question: Any particular situations that you would like to mention?Secretary-General: I mean, there are many situations around the world that are known, and in all of them, I think we should be open to find ways to join efforts. Peace is a major objective, I believe, of both sides. Question: Secretary-General, Benno Schwinghammer with the German press agency. My question is about Ukraine. As you know, President Trump and President [Vladimir] Putin met recently in Alaska. After this, do you see any realistic path to peace in Ukraine right now? And connected to this, President Trump is openly campaigning for the Nobel Peace Prize. In your view, has he done enough to deserve it so far?Secretary-General: Well, that is a question to ask to some people in Norway that deal with this issue. I am not optimistic about the short-term progress in the peace process in Ukraine. Our position is very clear. We need an immediate ceasefire, but a ceasefire that leads to a solution based on the UN Charter, international law, and the resolutions of the General Assembly. The positions of both sides are now largely incompatible. And after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we have seen that the Russian Federation has resisted strongly to the idea of a ceasefire and saying that a global agreement is necessary, and we all know how difficult it is to achieve. So I am afraid we might witness this war to go on at least for some time and to go on now with violence that is particularly dramatic, because it’s having a huge impact on civilians, which is absolutely regrettable. Question: What makes you pessimistic? What exactly is it?Secretary-General: I’m not optimistic at the short term because I see the positions of the two sides very different. I believe that Ukraine has a legitimate interest to preserve its territory integrity, and it’s clear that Russia is determined to something that would mean the occupation of large parts of Ukraine. Question: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary-General. This is Biesan Abu-Kwaik with Al Jazeera Arabic. More and more criticism is targeted towards the UN and the international community for the failure of protection of civilians in Gaza as this war approaches two years. Today, we have seen the military operations start in Gaza City. Is it time for the international community, for the UN, for Member States to push for a force to protect civilians in Gaza?Secretary-General: I do not think it will be possible to have a force at the present moment. It will be rejected by Israel and then, I believe, rejected by also the United States. And we have not the instruments for an effective protection of civilians, to the extent that 400 of our staff has been killed. So I would like to have an immediate ceasefire and -- having an immediate ceasefire -- to have an international force able to protect civilians. This would be an objective that I would strongly cherish. But at the present moment, it looks like Israel is determined to go up to the end and not open to a serious negotiation for a ceasefire, with the dramatic consequence from the Israeli point of view that it is also not allowing for the release of hostages that we have always said should be immediate and unconditional. So let’s be clear: With the attack that took place in Qatar, it doesn’t look that Israel is interested in a serious negotiation for a ceasefire and release of hostages. Question: I just have a question on Venezuela. The United States has attacked vessels from Venezuela on three occasions. They were alleged to have been carrying drugs, and 14 people have been killed. What do you think about the legality of these actions? What right does the US have to do this?]Secretary-General: We don’t have complete information yet about exactly what happened, but it is clear for us that it is absolutely essential to abide by international law in this domain.] Question: Kris Reyes with Canadian Broadcasting. Secretary-General, my question is also on this new UN report that finds Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. What is your direct response to Israel’s rejection of the findings of the report? And if nothing comes out of the report, what does this say about the UN’s relevance?Secretary-General: Well, the report is a report of an independent inquiry committee. And I think that Israel should take it into account, and everybody should take the report into account. And obviously, these are serious questions. As I said, for us, it’s not for us to do the legal determination, but the report is a serious report that I believe should be carefully read, and namely by the Israeli authorities. Question: Maryam Ramadi with Volant Media, Afghanistan International. My question is about Afghan women and girls, who remain erased from public life under the Taliban. Beyond statements of concern, what concrete steps will…Secretary-General: You referred to what situation? Question: Afghanistan. As you know, Afghan women and girls remain erased from public life under the Taliban. What concrete steps will the UN take to hold the Taliban accountable for systemic gender apartheid? And also, if you have any comments about the snapback mechanism at the Security Council. Thank you.Secretary-General: Well, what’s happening in Afghanistan is absolutely intolerable. And it’s not only intolerable; it’s also stupid. Because not to allow women and girls to participate in humanitarian aid is terribly detrimental to the whole population of Afghanistan. We are doing everything we can directly and mobilizing the international community to make the Taliban understand that it is in the vital interest of Afghanistan that women and girls are allowed to do humanitarian work and that humanitarian aid reaches effectively women and girls in the country. The present situation is intolerable. Question: Is it only in humanitarian work and just about girls’ education, women being removed…?Secretary-General: These are other aspects in which we have always been clearly in favour of… Gender equality has always been our motto. Of course, we understand that there is a long way to go. But now we had a, I would say, more serious situation with the deprivation of humanitarian aid to women and girls in several situations and not allowing women and girls to provide humanitarian aid. And this is something that is, in my opinion, totally unacceptable.And about the snapback, I think there is still time to avoid it. My appeal to Iran and to the other Powers is to use diplomacy and to create the conditions of trust in order to be able to avoid it. I have been in contact with both sides, of course, offering my good offices, but it all depends on the diplomatic efforts that are made in order to re-establish the trust that is needed for the snapback to be avoided. Question: Security-General, Xu Dezhi with China Central Television. My question is on two-State solution.Secretary-General: On? Question: On two-state solution. Yes. We heard recently not only right-wing officials of Israeli authority, even the Prime Minister of Israel talking about there will be no State of Palestine. With Israel continuing its military operation and illegal settlements in West Bank as well as in Gaza, if there is no territory, where is the two-State solution? And how should the international community and the UN to preserve the two-State solution? Thank you.Secretary-General: I think we absolutely must do everything and mobilize as much as we can the international community to make sure that the two-State solution prevails. And the question is simple. What is the alternative? It’s a one State in which one people is deprived of basic rights, one State in which people [are] moved out of their land. Is this possible in the twenty-first century? Is this acceptable in the twenty-first century? I think that Israel must understand that the one-State solution with the subjugation of the Palestinian people without rights is absolutely intolerable. And so the two-State solution remains the only viable alternative to preserve peace. Without a two-State solution, there will be no peace in the Middle East and extremism will expand everywhere in the world with the consequences that I consider extremely, extremely negative. Question: Secretary-General, I’m sorry. I’m going to raise genocide again. You’ve explained that you cannot make a legal declaration, but you know that international law is glacial. The Myanmar case started in 2019, and there’s still not a verdict five years later. It’s not a dry legal question, because it’s ongoing every single day, multiple deaths caused by Israel. So won’t history judge you harshly if you don’t declare what we can all see in front of our eyes? Is this not what genocide looks like, Secretary-General?Secretary-General: History will remember the fact that we were in the first line to fight for the defence of the interest of the Palestinian people. History will remember the 400 UN members that were killed in Gaza. History will remember all the efforts that we have made to denounce the constant violations of international law and worse, the level of death and destruction that has no parallel in my time in office. History will remember that we have been in a leadership position in defence of the rights of the Palestinian people, in the promotion of a Palestinian State. That is what history will remember, not a question of semantics. Question: But is this what genocide looks like, Secretary-General, even if you don’t make a legal definition?Secretary-General: Independently of the definition, the problem is not the word. The problem is the reality. And nobody has described this reality in a more dramatic way than the UN, and sorry to say, myself. Question: Thank you for the briefing, SG. It’s Pamela Falk from US News and World Report. With so many conflicts that you’re talking about and everyone’s asking you about, the UN has a bit of a credibility issue today. It goes up. It goes down. We’ve seen that. It’s my twenty-fifth UNGA (United Nations General Assembly). But what is your view of the vitality of the UN? You mentioned the bilateral meetings, so many, maybe getting everybody in one room. But the cutbacks, all of that have to do with the fact that maybe it’s great Powers, but the UN is not solving these problems. What’s your case for the vitality of the UN? Thank you.Secretary-General: The UN is a lot of things. Obviously, the UN is a Security Council, and the geopolitical divides have paralysed Security Council. And it is the Security Council that has the primary responsibility to preserve peace and security in the world. And for that, I’m not able to give an adequate answer to your question. But the UN is much more than the Security Council. Question: What is it?Secretary-General: The UN is providing humanitarian aid in the world in situations that are extremely difficult, more and more difficult, but vital to save lives and vital to rescue communities. The UN is being able to have the leadership, and I think nobody puts that into question, in the fight against climate change. The UN has been extremely active in making sure that new technologies are put into the adequate guardrails to be a force for good. And we just approved, as you know, are going to create the first global governance instruments in relation to artificial intelligence. The UN is extremely active, country by country, in supporting countries in their own development process. And if you ask Heads of State about UN country teams, they will tell you that the UN country teams are providing an excellent support to their activities. So the UN is many things. There is one thing I cannot solve: the capacity of the Security Council in a world that is so dramatically divided among the big Powers to have the necessary instruments for ending impunity and for those that are complicating the different conflicts that we have and that are more and more internationalized for those to understand that there is a risk if they go on. That that paralysis of the Security Council is a source of impunity that undermines our work, but that needs to be clarified as what it is. It is not the UN. It’s the Member States that, divided, do not allow the UN to work properly. Question: Secretary-General, Sylviane Zehil from L’Orient le Jour. Secretary-General, the Security Council decided that the Lebanese army would replace UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). How can the UN believe that the Lebanese army can fully exercise its sovereignty in the South when Hizbullah conserves its arms and its territorial control? Once UNIFIL leaves, who is going to document and arbitrate on the violations of the Blue Line after 2026? Is there a risk of escalation that is going to happen?]Secretary-General: At the moment, the most difficult thing is the conflict. I saw that when I visited UNIFIL on the border, and I am really proud of the work that UNIFIL as a UN force has done and continues to do in Lebanon. I think it’s clear that what we’re seeing today is a very clear approach. Israel is systematically violating the agreement by maintaining positions within Lebanon and by carrying out attacks here and there. Hizbullah is benefiting from this to justify its existence as an armed force, and Israel is benefiting from the existence of Hizbullah as an armed force in order to maintain its violations of the ceasefire. That’s why I feel that it’s essential that we support the Lebanese Government that has a programme that attempts to have monopoly of force in the hands of the Lebanese army, and it’s essential that Israel respect the ceasefire and abandon its positions that are located within Lebanon.] Question: Thank you, sir. My name is Abdelhamid. I am from the Arabic daily Al-Quds al-Arabi. Sir, former Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the scars of the genocide in Rwanda will haunt me all my life. Now it’s your second term, sir. You have one year and few months left, and the world is burning. The UN, which you had on top of it, failed the people of Palestine and Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Myanmar, Haiti, and look around what’s going on. You validated article 99 to the Security Council, but nothing worked. Did you consider throwing the bomb in the arms or the laps of the Security Council members and declare resignation? And resign as a protest for the failure of the Security Council?Secretary-General: I think my resignation would be very much welcomed by all those that are misbehaving. And so, I will not give them that pleasure. But I can clearly express my deep frustration with the fact that these problems that you raise are not properly solved and that the international community has not the capacity to come together to solve them. Question: But what, after you validated article 99, what you have… Do you have other means to influence the Security Council?Secretary-General: I have always said that article 99 has essentially a symbolic value, and that is why I used it in the worst… I didn’t use the article 99 on all situations. I used it in the situation that I consider the most serious situation in relation to global peace and security, and that is the situation in Gaza. And that is why I invoked article 99 in Gaza. Not that I was convinced that with article 99, we would solve the problem, but it was a symbolic gesture to show how dramatically I feel the horrendous things that is happening in Gaza. Question: Joseph Klein, Canada Free Press. I want to turn to what I hope will be a more pleasant subject for you, the UN80 initiative. So could you please share your thoughts on any specific UN80 initiative structural reforms? I know they’re under review in work stream three, but I’m sure you have some ideas that you would like to see, based on your two terms as Secretary-General. For example, what is your view on consolidating separate UN human rights-related protection entities such as sexual violence and conflict, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, and the work that the UN-Women organization is doing on violence against women, to consolidate all that into a more integrated, synergistic, enhanced single body? Thank you.Secretary-General: We will do a number of mergers and operations of that sort, and we will limit the number of envoys. We will not be able to touch immediately mandates that come from, strictly, the decisions of the Security Council, which of course means that probably those mandates will not be changed, but a number of others will be changed, and we will have a reduction of the number of entities within the UN. I’m not going to enter into details, because I will be presenting the report, the progress report, Thursday or Friday, and I will not anticipate the measures that will be proposed. But we will see a number of significant measures. Question: Secretary-General, thank you so much for coming here today. I’m Namo Abdullah with Rudaw Media Network from Kurdistan. You are expected to meet Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, I believe. Would you raise the demand of Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, like the Druse and the Kurds, who are calling for decentralized governance in Syria? They say they want to be in charge of their own affairs within a united Syria. Thank you.Secretary-General: Of course, I’ll raise these issues, and for me, it is absolutely essential to preserve the unity of Syria, of course, and the territory integrity of Syria. But it is also absolutely essential that all communities feel that their identity is respected, and at the same time that they have full rights of participation in the country as a whole. So this will be serious, certainly in the centre of our discussions. Question: Thank you, Secretary-General. Georgia Garantzioti from Athens News Agency in Cyprus. My question is for Cyprus, on Cyprus issue. As we know, as you said, during the UN summit, you will meet both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders. Are you still optimistic for the resumption of the talks? Thank you.Secretary-General: I will respond again with Jean Monnet’s sentence that I used several times in this press conference: I’m not optimistic. I’m not pessimistic. I’m determined. I will not give up. Question: Hello, Marta from the Portuguese National News Agency. Can we speak in Portuguese, or there is no translators in the room?Secretary-General: Of course, you can speak in Portuguese. Question: Thank you for this press conference. Next week, we will have here various countries recognizing the Palestinian State. Are you optimistic that this is going to lead to specific progress on the ground? And I hope that, do you hope also that Portugal will respect this decision?]Secretary-General: I hear the Foreign Minister of Portugal saying there wouldn’t be any obstacle to Portugal recognizing Palestine as a State. I think that this meeting will be of great importance because at a time when we’re talking about possible annexations, the West Bank in particular, at a time when we are seeing this systematic destruction taking place in Gaza, it’s essential that we reaffirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and it’s essential that we recognize their right to have a State and that the two-State solution should be the basis for security for both peoples. And in that respect, this meeting will be an extremely important meeting, since we know that the Palestinian State was recognized by the United Nations and is recognized as an observer State of the United Nations. And, therefore, it’s good that the maximum number of States recognize Palestine as a country.] Question: Thank you. Secretary-General, Mercedes Gallego with the Spanish newspaper, El Correo.Secretary-General: You can speak in Spanish, if you want. Question: I would, but perhaps my colleagues would like to listen to the question, too. It’s again on the genocide question. The President of the independent committee also noticed that the legality of calling it a genocide belongs to the court. But she said we have, under the international law, the obligation to prevent genocide. Are you prepared to at least support their recommendation to stop selling weapons to Israel, or what other way do you suggest that UN and the international community has to prevent what is ongoing?Secretary-General: I have no weapons to sell to Israel. Question: I know, the recommendation to…Secretary-General: I think that, as I said, this is an independent committee. The independent committee made the report. I think that report must be seen with attention and with adequate engagement by every State. But obviously, that doesn’t mean that all States will follow the recommendations. But I think the report exists. I think that existence is something that should be taken into account by those that are formulating their policy. Question: So, do you suggest that other countries should accept those recommendations?Secretary-General: I witnessed the position of the Government of Spain. The Government of Spain has been in the front line of the defence of the interests of the Palestinian people, and that is something that we cherish, very positive. Question: Good afternoon, sir. David Hammelburg, Fox News. Monday will be the two-State solution and continuation from July. The question I have is a legal one; 145 to 160 countries will declare Palestine an independent State. What does that mean legally? And the reason why I asked this question is because various UN resolutions, the Oslo Accords have clearly stated that the final solution of an independent State will be up to the two parties. Now since the two parties are not negotiating at the moment, what does it legally mean for UN members to summarily declare Palestine as a State? What is the legal binding? What does the UN find in its previous resolutions? How does that correlate with each other?Secretary-General: Well, as I said, the UN as the General Assembly has recognized the State of Palestine as an observer in the UN. And obviously, in that regard, the fact that a larger number of States does the same strengthens that position. But obviously, one thing is to recognize the State of Palestine. The other thing is the State of Palestine being able to fully exercise the rights of sovereignty, and I know that we are very far from that situation at the present moment. And I hope that there will be a serious negotiation leading to that. Question: Thank you, Stéphane. So good to see you again, Secretary-General. My name is Yu from Kyodo News, Japanese news agency. My question is about the reform of Security Council, especially about the veto. So what if you say that you are so stressed, so what do you think about the veto in terms of reforming? Thank you.Secretary-General: First of all, I believe the Security Council reform is something that makes full sense. The Security Council has a composition that doesn’t correspond to the world of today. It corresponds to the world of 1945. And that creates not only a problem of legitimacy, but a problem of efficiency. On the other hand, we have the right of veto. There were proposals from, namely, by France and UK, limiting the right of veto, especially in situation where we have massive violation of human rights or dramatic cases of this kind, and I see with sympathy that proposal. But of course, it is up to Member States to look seriously into the reform of Security Council. One thing I can tell you is that I believe I am the first Secretary-General that talks all the time about the need to reform the Security Council. And the truth is that this item that was completely taboo in the past is now in the centre of the discussions of the General Assembly. Before, there was a committee that couldn’t even issue papers and the documents would not move from one year to another. Now there is a committee working seriously. And several countries have recognized, for instance, even the P5, that Africa should have the right to have a permanent member. So I see movement. And I would like also to see movement in relation to certain limitations in the exercise of the right to veto. But again, this is a matter that only Member States can solve. Question: Thank you. Yeah. Linda Fasulo for NPR, the UN. My question is going back to Gaza. Mr. Secretary-General, we know that Israel at this juncture does not favour a two-State solution or appears not to, but neither does Hamas, as far as I believe. What is your sense of what role Hamas will actually play in any future State? And also, another question is, how do you believe Hamas has… What’s your view in terms of how Hamas has conducted the war in Gaza?Secretary-General: Well, we have been very clear condemning Hamas and the horrific attacks that Hamas did and that generated or used as a pretext, whatever you want to say, but generated this massive response by Israel. And I sincerely believe, as I said for Lebanon, it doesn’t make sense to have a State with armed groups that are not integrated in the army of the State. And, obviously, the State of Palestine that I want -- and there is an agreement of the Palestinian Authority -- would be a disarmed State of Palestine with of course a police force, but not with an army, which means that there will be no room for armed movements within that State.Spokesman: Adla? Question: Adla Massoud from the National. Mr. Secretary-General, US and Israeli officials have denounced the recent recognitions of Palestine as a gift to Hamas. Do you think… Question: The recognitions of Palestine as a State. Do you think the recognitions by some States risks undermining the prospects for peace?Secretary-General: I don’t think so. First of all, it’s not a gift to Hamas, because the two-State solution is something that is not also in Hamas programme, as you know. It is a gift to the Palestinian people that has suffered also a lot because of Hamas. Question: Thank you very much, sir. This is Naureen Hossain with IPS News. My question is actually about one of the high-level conference on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. As you may know, sir, that the UN has been at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the Rohingya refugee crisis. It has been eight years now since nearly 1 million Muslims, Rohingyas, were forced to flee Rakhine State. And as the conference, you know, wishes to achieve a sustainable resolution to this situation, what I would like to ask you in your own words is what do you foresee is the UN’s role in working towards that resolution that goes beyond its humanitarian response? Thank you.Secretary-General: Well, I feel the Rohingya situation, particularly because I worked a lot with Rohingyas when I was High Commissioner for Refugees. And I’ve witnessed how discriminated they were, probably the highest level of discrimination I’ve ever seen in the country. And then how dramatically they were killed and their villages destroyed in the offensive of the armed forces that we had a few years ago and led to this massive movement to Bangladesh. It is absolutely essential that the solution of the many problems that Myanmar has and there are other, as you know, that we have a solution based on return to democracy. But not only a return to democracy, but the recognition that the Rohingyas belong to the State of Myanmar and that citizenship must be given to them, and they must have the same rights of all the other Myanmaris. Unfortunately, as you know, the position of the Government has been not only, I mean, abolishing democracy and engaging in different conflicts with different groups, but has until now denied the status of citizenship to the Rohingyas, what is absolutely intolerable. Question: Thank you, Secretary-General. This is Yunzhao Pan, China’s Xinhua News Agency. I’m going to ask you a question about the four global initiatives.Secretary-General: About? Question: The global initiatives. I know… Spokesman: The global initiative from President Xi [Jinping]. Yeah. Go ahead. Just ask. Question: Okay. I know you went to Tianjin to attend this Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in early September. And at the summit, Chinese President proposed the fourth global initiative, the global governance initiative. I know these four global initiatives address many of the most pressing global issues. And can you comment how these initiatives will contribute to the three fundamental pillars of the United Nations? Thank you.Secretary-General: Well, I think that it is very important to underline that in this global initiative, there is a full respect to multilateralism. There is full support of the UN as the central piece of multilateral institutions and a strong commitment in relation to international cooperation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. So, I do believe that these principles are principles that are totally compatible with UN Charter.Thank you very much.***
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Press Release
17 September 2025
Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review under the UN80 Initiative
I am pleased to join this inaugural meeting of the Informal Ad Hoc Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review under the UN80 Initiative.And I thank His Excellency Mr. Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of JamaicaAnd Her Excellency Ms. Carolyn Schwalger, Permanent Representative of New Zealand,
For their leadership and for bringing us together today.
And I would like to also thank the co-chairs of the revitalization process from Romania and South Africa.
We have also worked closely together, and this is an outcome of your excellent work, so thank you very much.
And I think their presence today underlines the importance of this working group.
Because we are living, as we have heard, in challenging times,
And therefore also all of us, the General Assembly, do have a special responsibility in this process. To take forward the Secretary-General’s Report on Mandate Implementation, to distil guiding principles, and to chart the next steps that will make our mandates clearer, more effective, and more accountable.
Underlining that it is not only paper but that it is really implementation which matters. It builds on the dialogues begun last session by my predecessor, President Philemon Yang, and takes us to the next step in this process. I am grateful also thankful to him and his team for keeping me fully informed during the transition period. And I intend to build upon their efforts, and their open door.
I would also like to underline that this process of ours, as the General Assembly, is obviously part of the heart of the UN80 process in adapting this organization for the 21st century, ensuring that our institution is fit for the future.
That we really deliver as an institution on the efficiency level but also on the state of art level like other institutions around the world. And therefore, I would like to recall the three streams of the UN80 process.
First to sharpens efficiency, which includes cutting bureaucracy, reducing costs, and making smarter use of our global presence.
Second is the mandate review itself, ensuring the many tasks entrusted to the UN remain focused and relevant.
And third, to consider the system as a whole, drawing on the first two streams to assess whether deeper structural or programmatic changes are needed.So colleagues, In my opening address I spoke explicitly about this ‘make it or break it’ moment.
And this mandate review process is part of it - whether we make it or we break it.
And therefore I believe and would like to underline what the co-chairs have said.
That we should take up this task with a positive spirit. That we together can make itAnd that UN80 is not just an exercise in reform, for reform itself – and definitely not just a cost-cutting exercise for just cutting cost - but it is a chance for us to make this institution better and stronger together.
It is a chance to prove that the UN can deliver more effectively and accountably for the people it serves.And the mandate review is an essential component of this. Because this is about us. This is where you as Member States and we as the GA can show that we are delivering. That we are leading by good examples ourselves. Less than two weeks in office and already five mandated events, plus two additional high-level events, are on the agenda next week. So I for myself, task myself, to always think with every new mandate and every session I chair: what could I learn for the future? To make it in the future more effective and more accountable to the people. Because I believe the organization cannot continue layering more mandates on top of old ones, but has to focus on delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness.
And therefore, I would like to give you a very small example.
When we were preparing for the upcoming high-level week, for the ceremonial event on Monday, the Beijing platform based on resolutions, and people told me – especially the Secretariat – that every minute counts. It costs thousands of Euro.
But then I have the resolution saying you should put 16 speakers in one hour. So this doesn’t work at all.
But I cannot do anything about it because its in the resolution.
So I think looking really at these tiny examples we can save a lot of money but also reflect on whether we need to continue doing everything as we have done in the past or if we can reflect also learn from the past. So definitely this is no easy undertaking, because everybody obviously loves their darlings and – this is something we can reflect on when we are presenting things, how we can lead by good examples.
Again, I would like to underline what the co-chairs have said: obviously it is not about now and the past but looking for the future, which also gives us strength that we can deliver on this very challenging timetable
In this regard I applaud you for this timetable.
Yes, it is ambitious.
Already I’ve heard some people say it might be too ambitious.
But I would say, if it would be easy, others could do the job.
So, we work on that one together so we can deliver as best as we can.
My office – the OPGA will support wherever support is needed.
Also, on transparency because trust is the basis for the work here together.
So on this note I am pleased we were able to provide last minute public support for this discussion today. And we are keen of keeping this transparency, this support also in the future.
Thank you very much for the exchange today and I’m really looking forward to working together
Last, I would like to say that it is of the highest importance that this does not only stay in this room but that is really taken up to senior levels and engagements.
So with the high-level week ahead, please prepare every head of state and minister visiting the PGA that I will double check if they have heard about UN80 and the mandate review.
Because obviously it is also an opportunity where we can show altogether that we are not only working together here in New York but also in the capitals in this regard, looking forward to a high-level week and also to a great working group.
Thank you. [END]
For their leadership and for bringing us together today.
And I would like to also thank the co-chairs of the revitalization process from Romania and South Africa.
We have also worked closely together, and this is an outcome of your excellent work, so thank you very much.
And I think their presence today underlines the importance of this working group.
Because we are living, as we have heard, in challenging times,
And therefore also all of us, the General Assembly, do have a special responsibility in this process. To take forward the Secretary-General’s Report on Mandate Implementation, to distil guiding principles, and to chart the next steps that will make our mandates clearer, more effective, and more accountable.
Underlining that it is not only paper but that it is really implementation which matters. It builds on the dialogues begun last session by my predecessor, President Philemon Yang, and takes us to the next step in this process. I am grateful also thankful to him and his team for keeping me fully informed during the transition period. And I intend to build upon their efforts, and their open door.
I would also like to underline that this process of ours, as the General Assembly, is obviously part of the heart of the UN80 process in adapting this organization for the 21st century, ensuring that our institution is fit for the future.
That we really deliver as an institution on the efficiency level but also on the state of art level like other institutions around the world. And therefore, I would like to recall the three streams of the UN80 process.
First to sharpens efficiency, which includes cutting bureaucracy, reducing costs, and making smarter use of our global presence.
Second is the mandate review itself, ensuring the many tasks entrusted to the UN remain focused and relevant.
And third, to consider the system as a whole, drawing on the first two streams to assess whether deeper structural or programmatic changes are needed.So colleagues, In my opening address I spoke explicitly about this ‘make it or break it’ moment.
And this mandate review process is part of it - whether we make it or we break it.
And therefore I believe and would like to underline what the co-chairs have said.
That we should take up this task with a positive spirit. That we together can make itAnd that UN80 is not just an exercise in reform, for reform itself – and definitely not just a cost-cutting exercise for just cutting cost - but it is a chance for us to make this institution better and stronger together.
It is a chance to prove that the UN can deliver more effectively and accountably for the people it serves.And the mandate review is an essential component of this. Because this is about us. This is where you as Member States and we as the GA can show that we are delivering. That we are leading by good examples ourselves. Less than two weeks in office and already five mandated events, plus two additional high-level events, are on the agenda next week. So I for myself, task myself, to always think with every new mandate and every session I chair: what could I learn for the future? To make it in the future more effective and more accountable to the people. Because I believe the organization cannot continue layering more mandates on top of old ones, but has to focus on delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness.
And therefore, I would like to give you a very small example.
When we were preparing for the upcoming high-level week, for the ceremonial event on Monday, the Beijing platform based on resolutions, and people told me – especially the Secretariat – that every minute counts. It costs thousands of Euro.
But then I have the resolution saying you should put 16 speakers in one hour. So this doesn’t work at all.
But I cannot do anything about it because its in the resolution.
So I think looking really at these tiny examples we can save a lot of money but also reflect on whether we need to continue doing everything as we have done in the past or if we can reflect also learn from the past. So definitely this is no easy undertaking, because everybody obviously loves their darlings and – this is something we can reflect on when we are presenting things, how we can lead by good examples.
Again, I would like to underline what the co-chairs have said: obviously it is not about now and the past but looking for the future, which also gives us strength that we can deliver on this very challenging timetable
In this regard I applaud you for this timetable.
Yes, it is ambitious.
Already I’ve heard some people say it might be too ambitious.
But I would say, if it would be easy, others could do the job.
So, we work on that one together so we can deliver as best as we can.
My office – the OPGA will support wherever support is needed.
Also, on transparency because trust is the basis for the work here together.
So on this note I am pleased we were able to provide last minute public support for this discussion today. And we are keen of keeping this transparency, this support also in the future.
Thank you very much for the exchange today and I’m really looking forward to working together
Last, I would like to say that it is of the highest importance that this does not only stay in this room but that is really taken up to senior levels and engagements.
So with the high-level week ahead, please prepare every head of state and minister visiting the PGA that I will double check if they have heard about UN80 and the mandate review.
Because obviously it is also an opportunity where we can show altogether that we are not only working together here in New York but also in the capitals in this regard, looking forward to a high-level week and also to a great working group.
Thank you. [END]
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Press Release
16 September 2025
World Tourism Day
Tourism is a powerful driver of transformation.It creates jobs, fuels local economies, supports infrastructure and contributes to development far beyond gross domestic product (GDP).Tourism strengthens bonds between people and places. It builds bridges across cultures, preserves traditions and restores cultural heritage. It reminds us of our shared humanity and the richness of diversity.Yet tourism can also damage the very places and communities it celebrates.As the world faces climate breakdown and rising inequalities, we need bold, urgent and sustainable action that puts people and planet first.This year’s theme -- “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation” -- calls us to action.That means investing in education and skills, especially for women, youth and marginalized communities; supporting micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises; and advancing climate action by reducing emissions across the tourism sector, conserving biodiversity and protecting fragile ecosystems.Today, and every day, let’s harness the power of tourism as a force for transformation, resilience, sustainability and shared progress for all.[END]For more information and resources at the following link: https://www.un.org/en/observances/tourism-day
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Press Release
15 September 2025
UN Secretary-General's Joint Press Conference with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Secretary-General: I am perfectly aware of the enormous challenges that you face as you pursue sustainable and inclusive development.But I have an enormous admiration for the resilience, the courage and the determination of your people.I am honoured to be the first UN Secretary-General to visit Papua New Guinea — and to join you in celebrating fifty years of Papua New Guinean independence and democracy.For the past five decades, you have taken on a profound task: to weave your breathtaking diversity into one people, and one country that leaves no one behind.That process is by no means easy, but it is the spirit of unity and dialogue that the world needs today.This is a moment of great global turbulence — from conflicts, to the climate emergency, to economic instability and inequality.Papua New Guinea has felt the pain of these challenges.But you also provide a model for solutions.The Bougainville Peace Agreement has now been in place for 24 years.Its durability is a symbol of what can be achieved through perseverance and mutual respect.The United Nations has walked with you on this journey –– from weapons disposal to the 2019 referendum –– and will continue to stand beside you as the next phase begins.I salute the people of Bougainville as they prepare to cast their votes in the fifth autonomous election since the Agreement, and wish them a safe and rewarding polling day.I also welcome the adoption of the National Prevention Strategy on violence.Every person deserves to live without fear, regardless of their tribe or gender.This Strategy is an important step towards that future.For more than a decade, the UN Peacebuilding Fund has supported complementary efforts –– including conflict resolution, sustainable agriculture, and access to healthcare.I will have the opportunity to witness this work firsthand around the country where the United Nations is honoured to support your efforts.We work extensively with young people, who make up a full 60% of Papua New Guinea’s population –– and are one of the nation’s greatest assets.We must ensure they have the opportunities they need to thrive.There is another group for whom our partnership is especially relevant ––women.On this visit, I look forward to meeting with female community leaders.Violence against women and girls is a challenge that confronts all societies, including Papua New Guinea, and I commend the efforts by the Parliament to address it. The contributions of women to this great nation deserve our full recognition and respect.Papua New Guinea has long led the charge for climate justice. Your country does not contribute to climate change - on the contrary, you absorb CO2- but is in the first line of its dramatic impact.You have emphasized that climate change is a driver of poverty, and been a strong moral voice for climate finance.Your role in the Pacific Islands Forum declarations on sea-level rise helped to shape the global debate.As the UN Climate Conference approaches in Brazil, the world must move faster to keep the 1.5 degrees limit alive.This means an immediate turning point leading to a drastic reduction in emissions that can no longer wait.The countries of the G20 have a particular responsibility as they are responsible for 80 per cent of climate pollution.Simultaneously, developed countries must follow through on their commitments on climate finance, with a special emphasis on doubling adaptation finance to allow countries and communities to build resilience.The loss and damage fund must also mobilize a very meaningful volume of resources, including through innovative sources of finance.I applaud the decision of the Pacific countries to launch the Pacific Resilience Facility last year, and I appeal to the international community to fund it so that it reaches its full potential.The COP in Brazil must also produce a credible path to achieve the $1.3 trillion dollar objective decided in Baku.Just as climate finance is essential, so is development finance.I applaud Papua New Guinea’s drive to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, action that must be matched by the entire global community.I reiterate my strong appeal for the reform of the international financial architecture that must reflect the world of today with a much larger participation of developing countries in its institutions and their decision-making process.This is a basic condition for them to better serve countries like yours.This includes real action on debt relief; tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks; and the mobilization of private capital at scale to the service of developing countries.Dear members of the media,Once again, I congratulate Papua New Guinea on fifty years of independence and democracy –– and thank you for your commitment to multilateralism.The United Nations stands in solidarity with you, now and in the future.For your vision, your ambition, and the lessons you teach us all:[END] QUESTION AND ANSWERS Question: ABC Australia - Sir, immigration and the rights of asylum seekers is one of the core issues championed by the United Nations internationally. And you're currently in a country that was used by Australia to detain asylum seekers and refugees between 2004 and 2016. Australia currently has a secret deal with PNG to keep a handful of asylum seekers here, even though it won't disclose how much it's paying. My question is, do you think Australia is responsible for the welfare of these asylum seekers, even though they're not in Australia. They were trying to get to Australia. In January, a UN human rights committee published two decisions stating that Australia retained responsibility for the welfare of those it sent offshore for detention in [inaudible] or Manaus island. So, do you believe that Australia retains that responsibility for those asylum seekers? Secretary-General: Our position about refugees is clear. It comes from international law. I was high Commissioner for Refugees during 10 years. And my appeal to all countries is to respect international refugee law, which means all borders must be open for those seeking protection, and nobody should be sent back to where they might suffer persecution, and every country has the responsibility to grant protection and assistance to the refugees that cross their borders in search of protection. Question: My name is Michael from TV1. My question is basically human rights, community and peace. My question is you have praised PNG for peacefully handling the Bougainville peace Agreement process over years. What role do you see the UN playing after your visit and to the process of peaceful peace agreement process and towards the planned independence?Secretary-General: [The microphone of the Secretary-General stopped working momentarily. His response was inaudible] Question: The United Nations has engaged with the Papua New Guinea government on economic recovery with reference to COVID-19. Any future support we would receive from the United Nations to Papua New Guinea in terms of what I mentioned. Secretary-general: Well, first of all, all the UN Country Team we have no UN agenda for Papua New Guinea. Our agenda is to support the government in its strategies and policies, and all our UN agencies are doing their best to fully support the government. But on top of that, we remain with our strong advocacy for the Reform of International Financial Institutions. It is absolutely essential that developing countries have a stronger participation, and that participation being translated into more resources to developing countries that lead them to overcome the enormous challenges of development.If you have heard me, I mentioned that we need to have effective debt relief. We need to multiply, as it was proposed in the meeting that recently took place in Sevilla, multiplied by three, the volume of resources multilateral development banks put at the disposal of developing countries. And at the same time, we need to have multilateral development banks being able to leverage much more private finance and private investment in support of developing countries, de-risking them in order to make sure that they see it's worth investing in developing countries.So, on one hand, with our meagre resources, but our total commitment, we are here to support the government. On the other hand, we'll be making global advocacy for the creation of justice and less inequality in the international financial system, to the benefit of countries like Papua New Guinea.Thank you very much.***
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Press Release
15 September 2025
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear weapons deliver no security — only the promise of annihilation.The International Day for the Total Elimination of nuclear weapons calls on us to remember this central lesson of the cold war, when humanity gambled with its very survival across decades.Sadly, the shadow of nuclear annihilation is still with us and spreading fast, fuelled by divisions and mistrust, along with rising military spending, growing stockpiles and countries rattling the nuclear sabre as a means of coercion.Humanity is headed in the wrong direction. It’s time to chart a new course for lasting peace through disarmament.In last September’s Pact for the Future, Member States recommitted to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Countries must place dialogue over division and disarmament over destruction — not through words, but through action.On this important day, I call on States that possess nuclear weapons to lift this shadow hanging over humanity. Honour your disarmament obligations and commit to the total elimination of nuclear weapons.[END]For more information and resources at the following link: https://www.un.org/en/observances/nuclear-weapons-elimination-day
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