Activities of Secretary-General in France, 16-17 May

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres travelled from China to France, on Tuesday, 16 May.

Upon arrival in Paris, the Secretary-General met with the new President of France, Emmanuel Macron to discuss peace and security issues, as well as Agenda 2030 and human rights issues.

On Tuesday evening the Secretary-General travelled by train to Strasbourg, where on Wednesday morning he addressed the plenary session of the European Parliament, laying out his priorities for reform to make the United Nations closer to the aspirations of the people the Organization is serving, including through a focus on conflict prevention and mediation and a reform of the United Nations development system.

The Secretary-General also held a press conference with Antonio Tajani, the President of the European Parliament.  He stressed the need for a united Europe to support the search for global solutions, as no issue today can be solved without global efforts.

He then met with the different political groups of the European Parliament, as well as with the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland.

The Secretary-General left Strasbourg on Wednesday evening, 17 May, for Mont Pélerin, Switzerland, for the annual seminar of his Representatives and Envoys.