(17 March 2011) "The UN and the Government are working together for security, human rights and justice", according to the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, who was speaking during his two-day visit to Guatemala that ends on Thursday.
On Tuesday night, the UN leader arrived in the country's capital, Guatemala City, where he attended several meetings with political and social representatives.
He was accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, Director of the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Heraldo Muñoz, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations, Gert Rosenthal, and Director of the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters in Mexico, Hugo Beteta.
On Wednesday, the Secretary-General was received by the Guatemalan President, Álvaro Colom, and his ministers in the National Palace of Culture.
"Guatemala is known throughout the world for its ecological diversity, its rich culture, and its proud history. Our shared challenge today is to ensure that Guatemala also earns a reputation as a haven of justice, respect for human rights, and true security ", stated Ban Ki-moon at a press conference.
"Ending impunity is critical to protecting all Guatemalans from violence", he added.
The Secretary-General took the opportunity to pledge his support to the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) and its Head, Francisco Dall'Anese.
Ban Ki-moon also met with Heads of State and Government representatives of member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA), as well as the Dominican Republic, and their discussions focused mainly on matters relating to violence and insecurity in the region.
"We also discussed climate change and sustainable development. This region is among the world's most vulnerable. Each hurricane season brings renewed suffering. Each country needs national prevention and preparedness strategies to cope with inevitable impacts", said the Secretary-General.
Besides the President of the host country, the meeting was also attended by the following leaders: Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica, Porfirio Lobo of Honduras and the Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow.
Panama and the Dominican Republic were represented by their respective Vice-Presidents, Juan Carlos Varela and Rafael Alburquerque. El Salvador was represented by Chancellor Hugo Martínez, while Nicaragua did not send delegates to the meeting.
The Secretary-General also launched the UN Fund to Consolidate Peace in Guatemala, which has 10 million dollars of funding to use for security and justice programmes.
The Secretary-General was awarded the Order of the Quetzal (Collar Grade), which is the highest honour bestowed by the Government of Guatemala.
This Thursday, Ban Ki-moon has meetings scheduled with various civil society stakeholders, including representatives of indigenous peoples, as well as United Nations staff in Guatemala.
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