Ban urges greater cooperation between UN and Russia on global governance

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today praised the strong partnership between Russia and the United Nations at a meeting with the country's President Dmitry Medvedev and called for even greater cooperation on global governance issues, including climate change and sustainable development.

“Russia has a special role to play in addressing regional and global challenges climate change, sustainable development, the food crisis and also situations, as you said, in the Middle East, Libya, Cote d'Ivoire and the Korean Peninsula,” said Mr. Ban when he met with Mr. Medvedev in Moscow.

“Those are some areas of my agenda. And I would like to really count on your strong support, and leadership and guidance in continuing my work as Secretary-General,” he said.

The Secretary-General briefed Mr. Medvedev on his recent trips, including his visit to Ukraine where he participated in the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear disaster and took part in the summit on safe and innovative use of nuclear energy.

At the meeting he convened on Libya in Cairo that brought together the UN, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union, Mr. Ban informed Mr. Medvedev that it was agreed that international community should continue working closely together in accordance with Security Council resolutions.

Earlier, the Secretary-General met with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during which he underlined the importance of Russia's continued support for the UN to advance a common global agenda.

At a joint news conference with Mr. Lavrov, the Secretary-General told reporters that their meeting focused on global peace and security, poverty eradication, sustainable development, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear energy safety.

“The dramatic events which we are seeing in the Middle East and North Africa underscore the need for people everywhere in the world to live in freedom with prosperity, and to live with dignity,” Mr. Ban said.

He stressed that the UN will continue to work with the Member States to support those who have a genuine longing for freedom, greater democracy and liberty.

“On global governance, climate change and sustainable development, we affirmed the importance of international cooperation. These challenges go beyond national boundaries,” said the Secretary-General.

He said he had conveyed his gratitude to President Medvedev for his efforts to address development issues at the forum of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies and for strengthening the role of the UN in global economic governance.

“As a member of the G8 and G20 and BRICS [the grouping that refers to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa], Russia is in a unique position to support the UN's role in global governance,” Mr. Ban emphasized.

“Beyond the Climate Change Conference, I am counting on Russia's strong and active engagement in the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro,” he added.

He stressed his appreciation of Russia's broad support for the UN – “its political backing ... its resources ... and most importantly, Russia's guidance and direction as we navigate the challenges ahead.”