The remarks of the UNSG António Guterres at the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken

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UN Correspondent Society & Diplomatic Review and UNNGO PeaceeverTV reported according to a press release sent by UN Spokesperson

UNSG António Guterres at the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Secretary Blinken,

It’s a great pleasure to welcome you on this first visit to United Nations in New York – an important opportunity to renew the dialogue between the United Nations and the United States, as one of the founders and a permanent member of the Security Council, on the most pressing challenges of our age

Mr. Secretary, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I welcome the many initiatives the new United States administration has already taken to support multilateral responses to global challenges, and to strengthen cooperation between the United States and the United Nations.

To mention just three: Rejoining the Paris Agreement on climate change sends a message of hope to the world. Re-committing to the World Health Organization is an important sign of solidarity with the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. And re-engaging with the Human Rights Council will amplify the crucial voice of the United States on the most urgent human rights issues.

Mr. Secretary, ladies and gentlemen,

Cooperation between the United Nations and the United States is critical for our world. The commitment and contribution of the United States are essential to resolve the many serious global challenges we face – starting with the COVID-19 pandemic. To end the pandemic everywhere, I believe we need a global vaccination plan, which is why I proposed that the G20 should establish an emergency task force to develop and coordinate such a plan.

The United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, COP26, will be make-or-break for our planet and our future.

We are working closely together to build a global coalition for net zero emissions by mid-century, a top priority of the United Nations for 2021, and to mobilize an immediate quantum leap in adaptation, and in finance to support developing countries. We both believe in the importance of investing in a sustainable, inclusive recovery from the pandemic, to reignite the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals.

As conflict and violence cause enormous global suffering, threatening famine in at least six countries, we need a surge in diplomacy for peace.

We will work to reach lasting agreements in Afghanistan and Yemen; to consolidate our efforts in Libya; to achieve tangible progress through the political dialogue in Syria; and to restart the Middle East peace process. We need a new movement for peace, from war zones to people’s homes, where women and girls are facing an epidemic of gender-based violence. And we must deliver on my Call to Action on Human Rights.

People everywhere are demanding an end to systemic racism, discrimination and persecution, and protection for the rights of women, the marginalized, and minorities of all kinds.

The United Nations is the place to tackle our joint challenges, and reaffirm our common values.

Secretary Blinken, you are always welcome here.

Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Secretary-General Guterres, Antonio, it’s wonderful to be with you even virtually. And Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, wonderful to see you as well. I think this is our third exchange, Mr. Secretary-General, in the two months that I’ve been Secretary of State, and it reflects a basic reality, which is the United Nations is the anchor of the multilateral system. And that multilateral system is vitally important to the United States.

When we think about virtually all of the problems and challenges that are actually going to affect the lives – are affecting the lives – of our citizens, whether it’s COVID-19, whether it’s climate, whether it is the disruption of emerging technologies, not a single one can be dealt with by any one country acting alone, even the United States. We need to find ways to cooperate, to coordinate, to tackle problems together. And of course, the United Nations is where countries come together to work on common challenges.

And so we have a profound stake in its success, in engaging in the UN, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. You’ve heard President Biden talk about his commitment to multilateralism. As you’ve noted already, we’ve put that commitment into practice from day one, whether it was rejoining the Paris Climate Accord, re-engaging the World Health Organization, the Human Rights Council, the list goes on.

I’ve very much appreciated your own leadership on these issues and in dealing with many of the crises and challenges that we face around the world, from Ethiopia to Burma. We have a broad, broad agenda. I think you’ve got one of the toughest jobs in the world, but we’re grateful that you’re doing it and grateful to have the United Nations as a strong partner in our efforts.

So with that, I’m very much looking forward to the conversation today and to trying to cover a lot of ground. I think we’ll let our colleagues from the press leave the room, and then we can get down to work.

Thank you.