Egypt: Ban and Arab League Secretary-General discuss regional challenges
According to a readout of a meeting between the two leaders, the Secretaries-General reviewed the continued cooperation between the United Nations and League of Arab States and exchanged views on strengthening international efforts against counter-terrorism, and on Syria, Iraq, the Middle East Peace Process, Yemen and Libya.
Ban and El-Araby agreed to remain in close touch on the issues of concern to both organizations.
Continuing his programme on the margins of the Summit, Ban also met with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The Secretary-General congratulated Egypt on a successful summit and also commended Egypt's leadership role in many regional issues.
In a discussion on the Middle East peace process, Ban underlined the importance both of Palestinian reconciliation and of reconstruction in Gaza. Despite generous pledges made at the Cairo conference in October 2014, the Secretary-General underscored that the disbursement of funds for Gaza had been very limited, which had dangerous implications on the ground.
The Secretary-General and President el-Sisi discussed the importance of all sides continuing to work for a genuine two-state solution where both Israelis and Palestinians would respect their mutual security needs.
The Secretary-General then briefed the President on the difficult situations in Yemen, Libya and Syria, where his Special Envoys were tirelessly working to promote dialogue and stability and to end conflict in all three countries. Ban also briefed President Sisi on current United Nations initiatives to combat extremism and terrorism.
The Secretary-General also updated the President on a number of important on-going development-related issues within the framework of the UN, including the negotiations on the sustainable development goals, the upcoming Addis Ababa Financing for Development Conference, and the UN climate change conference in Paris at the end of the year.
Ban's discussions continued with Somali's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The Secretary-General expressed condolences to the President over the victims of the most recent terrorist attack in Mogadishu.
The Secretary-General welcomed the President's leadership in the ongoing State formation process, including the establishment of the National Leadership Forum. He also emphasized the importance of inclusivity, especially of women, youth, minorities and other weak communities, in Somalia's State-building approach.
They discussed Somali stakeholder's commitment to meet key Vision 2016 timelines to complete Somalia's federal state formation process and to review the provisional constitution.
The Secretary-General and President Mohamud also discussed the alarming humanitarian situation and human rights concerns in the country, as well as developments in the region.
Photo: UN Photo/Evan Schneider
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