Activities of Secretary-General in South Carolina, United States, 6 May

On Saturday, 6 May, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres travelled to the University of South Carolina to deliver a commencement address.

He called for strong leadership and engagement by the United States in an effective multilateral system in order to face the many challenges the world faces today.  Engagement, leadership and commitment that can help create the conditions for the prevention of conflicts, the mediation of conflicts, for sustaining peace and for helping countries regain the capacity to develop themselves and to bring prosperity for their citizens and strength to their institutions, Mr. Guterres added.

The Secretary-General thanked the United States for its generosity and commitment to development cooperation and humanitarian action, which meant millions of lives being rescued, that meant millions of children going to school, that meant millions of jobs being created in the world.

He told the students that he counted on them to be able to express the values that this society can always be proud of:  the values related to human rights, to democracy, to freedom, but also to solidarity and generosity.

While in South Carolina, the Secretary-General was also hosted to lunch by Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina.  Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was also present.

Before returning to New York, Mr. Guterres visited the Boeing Charleston Assembly Plant.  This visit was part of the Secretary-General’s efforts to step up engagement with the private sector.  Mr. Guterres was greeted by Boeing executives, including Joan Robinson-Berry, Vice-President and General Manager, and David Carbon, Vice-President.  Their tour included aircraft body operations, final assembly operations, and a view of the interior of a Boeing 787.

Mr. Guterres returned to New York on Saturday evening.