Guterres welcomes Papua New Guinea as an example of diversity, dialogue and climate action

António Guterres is the first UN secretary general to visit the country, which celebrates 50 years of independence.

He praised his enormous diversity, with more than 800 spoken languages ​​and countless traditions.

Commitment to peace, dignity and progress

“And yet, you have a shared commitment to speak with one voice – to have” a conversation ” – for peace, dignity and for progress”, he said.

“You are champions of multilateralism and international solutions. And this spirit is urgent in our world today. ”

He said that “Papua New Guinea offers a number of powerful lessons in the world”, the first being the consensus for dialogue.

The country has spent the last half century working to build “one nation from many traditions, many islands, many languages”, which has not been easy.

Last Saturday, August 30, has marked 24 years since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. The agreement between the government and the separatists ended A decade of conflict and established the Bougainville autonomous region.

Mr. Guterres said that if the conflict had left deep scars, Papua New Guinea and Bougainville stayed during peace for more than two decades.

“You have shown the world the path of healing through dialogue, perseverance and mutual respect,” he said, adding that the inhabitants of Bougainville will go to the polls on Thursday during the fifth autonomous election since the agreement.

Leadership in climate action

Another lesson by Papua New Guinea was the daring climate action.

It was the secretary general’s first visit to the Pacific region since the International Court of Justice (Icj), the highest judicial organization in the UN, issued Historical advisory opinion To affirm that attacking the climate crisis is a legal obligation under international law.

While the Pacific countries played a central role, the advisory opinion “testifies to the management of Papua New Guinea, the Mélanesia and the wider region of the Pacific”, in particular young people, which represent 60% of the population.

A crucial voice

“Your voice will be an integral part again during the United Nations Climate Conference in Belem, Brazil“He said, warning that efforts to limit the world temperature amount to 1.5 degrees Celsius are in danger.

He urged countries to submit new national climatic plans that correspond to this objective, to cover all the emissions of their savings and to accelerate the transition of fossil fuels.

Mr. Guterres also called for action on climate financing, in particular by increasing contributions to The loss and damage fundWhile richer countries must honor their promise to double the adaptation of funding and deliver $ 300 billion each year during the next decade.

In addition, as many developing countries “drown in unbearable debt”, a reform of current international financial architecture is necessary to make it more fair and more representative. The same goes for the UN Security advice and other international institutions.

Representation of women

The United Nations Help noted that Papua New Guinea formerly welcomed soldiers of peace, but is today a champion of peace and sustainable development.

However, he stressed that “no story of peace or progress is complete without fully including half of the population”, highlighting another area where the country can give an example.

He recalled that the UN Secretary General Amina Mohammed was there Five years ago for the national launch of Projectors’ initiative – part of the world’s greatest effort to put an end to all forms of violence against women and girls, a challenge that exists in all societies.

In March, Parliament devoted a whole day to testimonies on violence based on sexes, marking a vital stage.

“Ensuring greater voices and greater representation of women is not only a question of justice-it is a question of national force,” he said.

“Families thrive. Communities are strengthened. And institutions become more reactive when we defend everyone’s rights. ”