"Four years of suffering is enough," claimed Mr Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), before a group of Swiss journalists today in New York, and stressed the importance of increasing humanitarian aid in crisis regions before the onset of winter. "The situation is urgent; the need is great," said Mr Burkhalter. He also advocated a political solution to the Syrian conflict, concluding that "to stop the suffering, we need to stop the war".
In order to avoid future conflict, medium- to long-term crisis-prevention measures should also be developed. "Last week the 2030 Agenda was adopted, a sustainable development programme which aims to combat poverty and inequality and to foster environmental protection – this is excellent news," Mr Burkhalter went on to say, underlining that Switzerland, in particular via the international organisations based in Geneva, would be actively involved in implementing the Agenda, which comprises 17 goals.
Mr Burkhalter is also in favour of the UN modernising its administration and taking steps to reform the Security Council's working methods. He calls on the UN to make greater use of the expertise to be found in Geneva.
The head of the FDFA will speak at about 15 meetings between now and Thursday on topics relating to security, combating violent extremism, migration issues, climate change and the fight against the death penalty.
Further information:
Address for enquiries:
Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch