UN Chief António Guterres Addresses Papua New Guinea Parliament on Diversity, Climate, and Gender Equality

Forging a Nation from Diversity

• 💡 The UN Secretary-General commended Papua New Guinea for undertaking the daunting task of forging a single nation from over 800 languages and countless traditions.
• 🤝 He highlighted the country's commitment to speaking with one voice for peace, dignity, and progress, serving as a model for multilateralism and international solutions.
• 🕊️ The success of the Bougainville peace agreement was celebrated as an example of healing through dialogue, perseverance, and mutual respect, with the UN honored to support the process.

Climate Action and Global Finance Reform

• 🌍 Papua New Guinea's bold climate action was praised, recognizing its role as a custodian of significant global biodiversity, rainforests, and coral reefs.
• 💰 The Secretary-General stressed that climate finance is vital but insufficient, advocating for meaningful reform of the international financial architecture to address unsustainable debt and ensure fair representation for developing countries.
• 📈 He called for increased contributions to the loss and damage fund, innovative financing mechanisms, and for developed countries to honor promises on adaptation finance.

Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

• 🚺 The UN chief emphasized the importance of widening opportunities for women and girls, noting that Papua New Guinea has taken vital steps by speaking openly and forming a parliamentary committee on gender equality.
• ⚖️ Ensuring greater voice and representation for women is framed not only as a matter of justice but as a source of national strength, leading to thriving families, stronger communities, and more responsive institutions.
• 🤝 The launch of Papua New Guinea's national human rights strategy and pledge to establish a human rights commission were commended as examples of recognizing these truths.

UN's Role and Partnership

• 🤝 The UN's agenda in Papua New Guinea is to support the government and its people according to their own strategies and policies.
• 🇵🇬 The Secretary-General expressed pride in being the first serving UN Secretary-General to visit Papua New Guinea, marking 50 years of independence and democracy.
• ✨ The UN is proud to accompany Papua New Guinea on its journey, recognizing that embracing differences with shared purpose can be their greatest strength.