The Secretary-General hosted today a signing ceremony on the margins of the COP-22 in Marrakesh, Kingdom of Morocco, with the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and the President of the Gabonese Republic, His Excellency Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba. The ceremony marked the successful conclusion of the United Nations mediation, which started in 2008, that aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution of the border dispute between the two countries for submission to the International Court of Justice.
 

The Secretary-General commended the two parties for demonstrating political leadership, courage and wisdom in reaching this historic agreement, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the United Nations Charter. He also thanked the parties for the excellent cooperation extended to his lead official for the dispute, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, as well as to his predecessor, Mr. Nicolas Michel.

The Secretary-General expressed hope that the settlement of this longstanding border dispute would be a source of inspiration for other countries facing similar challenges, by demonstrating that a peaceful settlement.

The Secretary-General encouraged President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and President Bongo Ondimba to continue to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to assist in the promotion of regional peace and stability, notably through the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Libreville.