Brussels, 13 July 2023 (TDI): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed paid a visit to Belgium today, where they were welcomed by the King and Queen of Belgium in Brussels.
The high-profile visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and Belgium on various global issues.
Following their reception, Secretary-General Guterres and Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed engaged in a series of meetings with Belgium’s top leaders.
The guests held discussions with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Development Minister Caroline Gennez, and Climate Minister Zakia Khattabi, covering a range of pressing matters.
The meeting with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Ministers Hadja Lahbib, Caroline Gennez, and Zakia Khattabi encompassed an array of topics of mutual concern. Foremost among the agenda items was the escalating conflict in Ukraine.
Furthermore, both parties expressed their shared concern about the ongoing war, emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
They also discussed potential avenues for supporting peace efforts and ensuring the protection of human rights in the region.
Additionally, the importance of multilateralism in fostering peace and security was highlighted during the meeting.
Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the indispensable role of international cooperation and collaboration in addressing global challenges effectively.
The discussions delved into ways to enhance multilateral efforts, with a focus on promoting respect for human rights and achieving social and economic development worldwide.
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Belgium’s commitment to climate action was also a central theme of the discussions. Minister Zakia Khattabi, responsible for climate-related matters, engaged in dialogue with Secretary-General Guterres and Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed.
Moreover, both leaders emphasized the need for urgent and ambitious action to combat climate change and mitigate its devastating impacts.
Furthermore, the meeting provided an opportunity to explore avenues for increased collaboration between Belgium and the United Nations on climate-related initiatives, including the upcoming COP28 conference in Dubai.
Belgium’s leaders reiterated their dedication to multilateralism, human rights, and sustainable development, aligning with the United Nations core values.
