Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Pekka Haavisto, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Sudan
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning to everyone and thank you for joining us today. Your presence reaffirms your commitment to Sudan and to its people at a time of profound suffering and uncertainty.
This meeting offers an opportunity to take stock of our collective efforts, reflect on the challenges before us, and consider how we can strengthen coordination among our respective initiatives. Each Member State and multilateral organization brings a distinct mandate, perspective and capacity. Our shared responsibility is to ensure that these contributions reinforce one another and advance a common purpose.
At the heart of that purpose must be an unwavering commitment to ending the war, alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, and upholding their right to a future of peace, security and dignity in a united Sudan.
I reiterate this because it is the message I have heard consistently from Sudanese people - in Sudan, across the region and further afield. Whatever their circumstances, their appeal is clear: this war must end. Their voices must guide our deliberations, and their aspirations must remain the measure of our progress.
Our first session, devoted to de-escalation, will offer an opportunity to explore practical ways forward. I hope we can identify mutually reinforcing steps that, pursued through our respective channels of engagement, can build confidence and help create conditions conducive to a comprehensive ceasefire.
We must also consider how these efforts can open the way towards a transitional political phase that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people. Our second session will therefore focus on the foundations of an inclusive and credible dialogue, capable of advancing a Sudanese-led political process. Our role is to support the Sudanese in shaping their country’s shared future, with due regard for the diversity of their voices and experiences.
Excellencies,
The regional dimensions of this conflict also require our sustained attention. Sudan’s ties with its neighbours are deep, and the consequences of the war extend across its borders. We must listen carefully to the perspectives of countries in the region, consider how to prevent further deterioration and spillover, and explore how their engagement can contribute constructively to peace.
Our discussions today should help us develop a shared understanding of these interconnections and identify opportunities for coordinated action in support of stability in Sudan and the wider region.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Let us build on previous meetings and discussions while laying a solid foundation for sustained cooperation. The value of this gathering will lie on our ability to translate a shared sense of urgency into practical action.
To that end, I am committed to convening this meeting regularly, every three months. Such continuity will allow us to assess progress, address obstacles and adapt our approaches together. It will also help us maintain momentum and develop pragmatic responses to an evolving situation.
We owe the Sudanese people sustained attention, coherent engagement and determined action. As April 2027 approaches, we must do everything in our power to ensure that it marks a turning point towards peace, rather than the start of another year of war and suffering. Our purpose in coming together is to place our collective efforts at the service of the Sudanese people.
Allow me, in closing, to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Switzerland, represented at this meeting by State Secretary Ambassador Alexander Fasel, for its generosity in co-hosting the sixth iteration for the Consultative Meetings. Switzerland’s longstanding tradition of peacemaking and dialogue is reflected in its constructive engagement in efforts to resolve the crisis in Sudan. I also thank all of you for your engagement and for the experience and commitment you bring to our shared endeavour.
I look forward to frank, constructive and forward-looking discussions, and to working with you to carry this engagement forward in support of a lasting peace in Sudan.
Thank you.