The Secretary General of the United Nations has granted an audience to the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA.
On 22 September 2017, Mr. Antonio Guterres had a cordial discussion with the Head of State in their first ever meeting. This was held on the sidelines of the 72nd UN General Assembly in New York, where the Cameroonian leader advocated for the preservation of peace and the environment.
Issues such as the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group and the proper management of refugees from Nigeria and the Central African Republic were discussed by both personalities.
During the audience, H.E. Paul BIYA congratulated the new UN boss and reiterated Cameroon’s commitment to support his institutional reforms. The Head of State equally raised the need for an effective mobilisation of the international community to tackle the security and humanitarian challenges around the Lake Chad Basin.
Finally, the Head of State made an appeal for the full implementation of the ICJ ruling on Bakassi.
On his part, the UN Secretary General reassured President Paul BIYA that the UN will stand by Cameroon in its fight against terrorism and the handling of refugees.
Mr. Antonio Guterres also thanked the Head of State for the hospitality he received as UN High Commissioner for Refugees. He was referring to his official visit to Cameroon in March 2015.
