SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ENTRY INTO FORCE OF GREAT LAKES PACT

 

ON SECURITY, STABILITY, DEVELOPMENT

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the entry into force of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region on 21 June, following its ratification by 8 of the 11 core countries of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

Under the terms of the Pact, the Governments of the region have committed themselves to address the underlying causes of the conflicts in the heart of Africa, and to tackle the key security, governance, development, humanitarian and social issues from a regional perspective.  By prioritizing and realizing results on the ground, the Conference will send a strong signal to the international community of its determination to turn the ideas of the Pact into concrete achievements.

The United Nations, which helped facilitate the Conference process for many years, remains committed to support the implementation of the Pact.  The Secretary-General renews his appreciation to the Executive Secretary of the Conference, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, and to the Conference Secretariat.

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For information media • not an official record