Meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the Second World Summit for Social Development
The events of recent years in global politics and the increase in the number of armed conflicts have reinforced the importance of a strong, decisive and effective organisation, said Tamás Sulyok after meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the Second World Summit on Social Development. According to the President of Hungary, the 80-year history of the UN is proof that multilateral diplomacy is not just a noble idea, but one of the most important international means of achieving peace, security and prosperity.
At the meeting, President Sulyok emphasized that without peace, there can be no social progress. For this reason, Hungary advocates for a peace agreement and a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Ukraine. Tamás Sulyok congratulated António Guterres on the achievements made. He praised the Secretary-General for, despite holding the leadership of one of the most important international organizations in difficult times, always seeking peaceful ways to resolve conflicts.
The President of Hungary pointed out that the UN is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and that Hungary has been a member of the world organisation for 70 years. During these seven decades, Hungary has twice served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, twice provided the President of the UN General Assembly, and on numerous occasions played a leading role in the work of the General Assembly committees.
President Sulyok stated that it is a particular source of pride that Hungary holds the presidency of the UN General Assembly’s Committee on Budgetary Questions, with Dr. Zsuzsanna Horváth, Hungary’s UN Ambassador, standing at the committe’s helm. Tamás Sulyok added that our country’s commitment to peace is demonstrated not only by its participation in UN peacekeeping missions but also by its support for international dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The President reaffirmed that Budapest is ready to host a Russian-American peace summit aimed at facilitating the end of the war in Ukraine.
The UN Secretary-General thanked Hungary for its support for the service centre of the refugee agency (UNHCR) based in Budapest. António Guterres described the cooperation between Hungary and the UN as very good and praised Hungary for having stood for peace from the outset. He also agreed that achieving peace is the most important priority.