United Nations - Speech by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne to the UN Security Council (January 6, 2021)

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, took part via video conference on January 6 in a UN Security Council meeting chaired by Kais Saied, President of Tunisia, focused on the challenges of maintaining peace and security in fragile contexts. This meeting was also attended by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat and former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The minister of state underscored the importance of taking into consideration the factors of structural fragility in crisis response, notably the weakness of states, as well as the impact of climate change on security. The minister of state also emphasized prevention, the capacity-building of states and peacebuilding. He confirmed France’s commitment to increasing its contribution to the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund fourfold.

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne reaffirmed France’s support for the reforms initiated by the UN secretary-general, notably with respect to peacekeeping, and its attachment to a closer partnership with regional organizations, especially the African Union.