Press Advisories
26. 3. 2018 18:04
Premier Babiš: We must do much more to meet the challenges ahead of us, such as security, peace, sustainable development and human rights
The Czech Republic is organising the preparatory meeting as part of its ECOSOC presidency that it took up in July 2017 for 12 months. All 193 UN member states have been invited to the two-day meeting.
In his introductory speech, Premier Andrej Babiš said that today's world was changing as a result of trends such as globalisation, migration, demographic changes, terrorism, climate change and digitalisation.
"Too many people are exposed to inequality and oppression of human rights, so we cannot overlook the fact that we must do much more to address the challenges that are ahead of us in this respect. Security, peace, sustainable development and human rights,“ said Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
He also appreciated the Agenda for Sustainable Development that is focused on a future without poverty, hunger and environmental degradation. Its core are 17 Goals of Sustainable Development, shortly it is called Agenda 2030.
On Monday morning, the premier met in the Kramář Villa with Miroslav Lajčák, the President of the UN General Assembly. They discussed mainly the current Czech presidency of ECOSOC and the implementation of Agenda 2030 Goals.
In the afternoon, Premier Andrej Babiš received Amina Mohammed, Deputy to the UN Secretary General, at the Office of the Government. Apart from the theme of the Czech presidency and Agenda 2030, they talked about foreign and development cooperation of the Czech Republic and the reform of the UN development system that is coordinated by Deputy Mohammed.
ECOSOC is one of the three most important bodies of the United Nations. It operates in the economic, social, cultural, educational and health areas. In its presidency, the Czech Republic concentrates on the theme of participation in public affairs as a means of and a way to creating and strengthening sustainable, resilient and inclusive society.