Activities of Secretary-General in Italy, 17-21 March

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Rome in the evening of 17 March, from Tokyo, Japan.

He began his official programme on 18 March with a working breakfast with Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni.  This was their first meeting as Mr. Gentiloni had only recently been named to the post of Foreign Minister.

Following their meeting, the Secretary-General joined the Foreign Minister in speaking to the press.  In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that he is very concerned about the increasing presence of Da’esh in Libya.  He praised Italy's strong support for the United Nations efforts in Libya and their efforts to counter violent extremism.

After meeting the Foreign Minister, the Secretary-General went to the Quirinale, the official residence of the President of Italy.  In his meeting with President Sergio Mattarella, they discussed Libya, Syria, migration, climate change and the sustainable development goals.

Before leaving Rome, the Secretary-General and his delegation held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.  During their discussions, the Secretary-General thanked the Prime Minister for Italy's strong support for the political and humanitarian work of the United Nations in Libya and Italy’s contribution to global efforts to address terrorism, including in Syria and Iraq.  They also discussed the need to address the root causes of irregular migration and of terrorism.  The Secretary-General further expressed his gratitude for Italy's support to United Nations peacekeeping operations, especially in Lebanon.  They also discussed the situation in Ukraine.

In the early afternoon, the Secretary-General departed Rome for Turin to attend the 2015 Secretary-General’s retreat hosted by the United Nations System Staff College. 

The Secretary-General’s retreat brings together senior advisers, including heads of funds and programmes.  Immediately upon arrival, the Secretary-General joined a special session of senior advisers devoted to climate change.

Prior to the official start of the retreat, the Secretary-General met with Turin Mayor Piero Fassino.  He expressed to the Mayor his deepest sympathies for the local victims of the Tunis museum attack.

The retreat began later in the morning, at the Turin Palazzo Reale, with participants hearing a keynote address from former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.  The remainder of the retreat was devoted to various sessions on development, peace and security, management, as well as justice and human rights.

On the final day, the Secretary-General joined Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni to sign an amendment to an agreement between the Government of Italy and the United Nations that will provide for an annual contribution of €500,000 to the United Nations System Staff College.

Following the signature, which took place at the Turin city hall, in the presence of the Mayor of Turin, Piero Fassino, the Secretary-General spoke to the media.

“This agreement”, the Secretary-General said, “will allow us to strengthen the invaluable learning and training efforts carried out by the Staff College here in Turin.”

He added that “a strong United Nations needs dynamic, well-trained staff able to meet the ever-changing needs of the international community”.

The evening ended with a dinner hosted by Italian authorities at the Castello di Stupinigi.

The Secretary-General left Turin and returned to New York on 21 March.