German Foreign Minister visits UN campus in Bonn

The German Foreign Minister, Mr Guido Westerwelle, visited the UN campus in Bonn today.  He was welcomed by the Chair of the Consultative Forum of the Heads of UN Agencies in Germany, Ms Flavia Pansieri, together with the heads of the United Nations agencies in Bonn.  The Minister asserted the commitment of Germany to the UN agencies in Bonn and their work on sustainable development. He also discussed the support Germany was giving to enhance the UN campus facilities as the UN presence in Bonn continues to grow.  The UN participants shared with the Minister that about 800 UN staff members now live in Bonn, and feel very much at home.  They also expressed appreciation for the excellent facilities at their disposal and shared the Minister’s hope to see a continued growth in the UN presence in Bonn. In a conversation with the Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, Ms Flavia Pansieri, Mr Westerwelle confirmed the Government of Germany’s strong support to the UNV as focal point for the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10).  He reflected on the successful conference of the UN Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations, conducted in September in Bonn with the invaluable support of UNV.  Mr Westerwelle also discussed with Ms Pansieri the two upcoming UN General Assembly sessions devoted to social development, volunteerism and IYV+10.  The Minister also discussed with the Heads of Agencies issues related to climate change, the UN Water Decade, the interface between the academic community in Bonn and the UN as well as Germany’s commitment to multilateralism and the specific mandates of Bonn-based agencies. Guido Westerwelle has been the Foreign Minister of Germany since October 2009.  This is his first visit to the United Nations campus in Bonn. Visit the UN in Bonn web site