Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. The meeting took place at the end of Attaf's participation in the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly. According to a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting provided an opportunity to review the state of international relations and discuss the main challenges facing multilateral work and the United Nations.
The meeting between Attaf and Guterres focused on the current international landscape, marked by increasing crises and tensions. The two officials discussed efforts to reduce escalation and promote security and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region. They also touched on UN efforts to support peace and security in Africa. The situation in the Western Sahara and the prospects for advancing the UN-led process towards a political settlement to the conflict were also on the agenda.
During the meeting, Attaf and Guterres reviewed the latest developments in the negotiation process on the Western Sahara issue. They discussed ways to move forward with the UN-led process towards a political settlement, in line with relevant international legitimacy resolutions. The two officials also emphasized the importance of finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
In addition to his meeting with Guterres, Attaf participated in a high-level meeting commemorating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The meeting aimed to eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. Attaf emphasized the importance of renewing the international community's commitment to upholding human dignity, promoting equality, and combating all forms of racism and discrimination.
In his speech at the high-level meeting, Attaf stressed that the commemoration of the Durban Declaration's anniversary provides an opportunity to reaffirm the international community's commitment to human dignity and equality. He called for a genuine political will and collective solidarity to implement the Durban Declaration, while rejecting selectivity and double standards. Attaf also emphasized the need to adopt a structural and comprehensive approach to reparative justice.
Attaf highlighted the importance of leveraging technology and digital space to serve humanity, while preventing their use in promoting hate speech, racism, or undermining human dignity and rights. He also underlined the need for a collective and sustained effort to address the root causes of racism and discrimination. The Algerian minister's participation in the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly reflects Algeria's commitment to multilateralism and its active role in promoting peace and security.
The meeting between Attaf and Guterres and the high-level meeting on the Durban Declaration demonstrate Algeria's engagement in international efforts to promote peace, security, and human rights. Algeria's active participation in multilateral forums reflects its commitment to contributing to global governance and addressing the world's most pressing challenges.
Key points
- Ahmed Attaf met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss international relations and challenges facing multilateral work.
- Attaf participated in a high-level meeting commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
- Attaf called for a structural and comprehensive approach to reparative justice and leveraging technology to serve humanity.
