Events

Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, gave a statement on the “High Level Thematic Debate On The U.N., Peace, and Security,” on May 9 2016. In the speech he identified a “new world order” and called on the United Nations to increase its role from peacekeeping to “preventing the outbreak of new wars and military conflicts.” Anders Corr interviewed him at the U.N. building just before the speech.

Almost 80 Permanent Missions offered colorful fine arts and handicrafts products as well as a variety of delicious culinary masterpieces at this years’ UN International Bazaar, a very successful charity event that took place on Wednesday, 4th May at the UN Plaza. Just like last year, the Permanent Mission of Hungary participated with a national merchandize stand at the event organized under the patronage of Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, wife of UN Secretary General and contributed this way to the important fundraising work to help Syrian refugees and children projects around the world.

On 21 April, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim formally announced the appointment of 10 Heads of State and Government, as well as two Special Advisors, to the High-Level Panel on Water. H.E. Mr. János Áder, President of Hungary also joined the international coalition of Heads of State and Government with the aim to mobilize global support to implement Sustainable Development Goals 6 (SDG6): “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, and targets related to water contained in the 2030 Agenda.

Hungary co-sponsored a very successful ministerial-level side event at the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women with Liechtenstein and the USA on “Combatting the Trafficking of Women and Girls: What Role Can the Private Sector Play in Addressing and Preventing Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery?” Ambassador Bogyay, who co-chaired the meeting, stressed that raising awareness and strengthened coordination among the key actors were necessary to fight modern slavery that affected women, men and children of all nationalities, including many Hungarians.

Yesterday the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women kick started with the opening remarks by His Excellency Ban Ki-moon. The Secretary General highlighted a major step in realizing the Security Council’s historic resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, namely that during the last nine years more than 150 distinguished women have been appointed Assistant Secretary-General or Under-Secretary-General, furthermore, today, nearly a quarter of UN missions are headed by women.