Guinea-Bissau Needs Support of Partners to Ensure It Stays on Right Path, Secretary-General Stresses at International Contact Group Meeting

Following is UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon’s message, delivered by Miguel Trovoada, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), to the Extraordinary Meeting of the International Contact Group on Guinea-Bissau, in New York today:

I am pleased to convey my greetings to this Extraordinary Meeting of the International Contact Group on Guinea-Bissau.  I thank the Economic Community of West African States and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries for convening this important gathering and for their active collaboration in support of the people of Guinea-Bissau.

Following the historic elections in April and May, Guinea-Bissau has finalized its transition to constitutional order.  Legitimate State institutions and representatives are now in place.  An inclusive Government has been established.  The Government has introduced its four-year plan to the National Assembly, clearly identifying its immediate and long-term priorities for 2014-2018.

Guinea-Bissau is at an important crossroads.  It needs the support of its partners to ensure that the country stays on the right path.  I am therefore particularly pleased that the International Contact Group has resumed its meetings and hope these will continue as Guinea-Bissau will need the international community’s enduring support.

Guinea-Bissau must focus on pursuing an inclusive political dialogue, advancing national reconciliation, promoting respect for human rights, and strengthening the reform of its national institutions.  The people of Guinea-Bissau must also define together an approach to defence, security and justice sector reform that is technically and financially feasible as well as politically acceptable.

The United Nations remains committed to assist Guinea-Bissau working closely with regional and international partners.  These efforts are being led by my Special Representative, Miguel Trovoada.  I also recently deployed a multidisciplinary strategic assessment mission to the country to better align our work with the priorities identified by the Government and people of Guinea-Bissau, and to complement existing initiatives by Guinea-Bissau’s partners.

As you gather together at this vital time, I wish you every success in your deliberations.  I am confident that this meeting will greatly contribute to enhance international coordination in support of the Government of Guinea-Bissau.