Activities of Secretary-General in Switzerland, 8-10 April

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Geneva from California, on 8 April, to attend the Geneva Conference on the Prevention of Violent Extremism, held at the Palais des Nations.

Upon arrival, the Secretary-General was met by United Nations Office at Geneva Director-General Michael Møller.

The Secretary-General met Didier Burkhalter, Head of Switzerland’s Federal Department of External Affairs, before both headed to the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room to co-chair the high-level segment of the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism for the remainder of the morning.

In his remarks to the Conference, the Secretary-General said that violent extremism is not rooted or confined to any religion, region, nationality or ethnic group, adding that the threat is clearly transnational and requires urgent international cooperation.

Stressing the importance of prevention, he said that violent extremism flourishes when aspirations for inclusion are frustrated, political space shrinks, human rights are abused and when too many people, especially young people, lack prospects and meaning in their lives.  (See Press Release SG/SM/17657.)

At the conclusion of the high-level segment of the conference, the Secretary-General and Mr. Burkhalter held a joint press encounter.  The Secretary-General told media about the need for a more comprehensive and balanced approach that addresses the drivers of violent extremism and urged Ministers and other leaders to demonstrate political vision, courage and leadership and, most of all, political will to come together to prevent violent extremism.

The Secretary-General also met that day Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium, and with Espen Barth Eide, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.

The Secretary-General then held meetings bringing together senior United Nations officials in Mount Pelerin before returning to New York on 10 April.