UN Security Council, debt...: Professor Diomaye Faye and Antonio Guterres discuss African demands

The President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, held talks this Thursday in New York with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres.

As Guterres concludes his term as head of the United Nations, the Senegalese Head of State wanted to express his gratitude for nearly a decade dedicated to issues of international peace, security and justice.

During this period, the world was profoundly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, while hotspots of tension and conflicts multiplied in several regions. In this international context marked by numerous crises, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye commended the actions of the UN Secretary-General and the efforts undertaken to promote multilateralism.

António Guterres, for his part, welcomed the commitment of the Senegalese President and of Senegal, whose positions remain based on dialogue and the search for peaceful solutions to crises.

The two leaders discussed, in particular, the finalization of the consolidation of these agencies within the United Nations House in Diamniadio. This infrastructure, built using Senegal's own resources, is intended to further strengthen the presence and coordination of the United Nations system in the country.

Discussions also focused on the 3rd United Nations Water Conference, which Senegal is co-hosting with the United Arab Emirates in December. This international event is expected to place issues related to access to water and the sustainable management of this resource at the heart of the discussions.

Senegal reaffirms its commitment to peace in West Africa

In his capacity as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Bassirou Diomaye Faye reaffirmed Senegal's commitment to stand alongside the United Nations in efforts to promote peace and security in the sub-region.

António Guterres also stressed the need for the United Nations to continue its efforts to correct what he considers to be injustices inherited from the past. Among the issues raised were Africa's representation on the UN Security Council, reform of the international economic and financial system, debt issues and access to concessional financing, and climate injustices.