Learnt value of dialogue, compromise as peace negotiator in SL: Solheim

31 August 2016 03:08 pm - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Erik Solheim, the new Head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), yesterday said he learnt valuable lessons, including the importance of dialogue and compromise when serving as a peace negotiator in Sri Lanka.

“In my view you should always try to talk with political leaders as well as guerrilla leaders or terrorist leaders who do not seem to be amendable to compromise – let’s try talking,” he said.

Mr. Solheim highlighted how his past experience would help inform him in his new role as the Executive Director of the UNEP.

He was elected to the UNEP position for a four-year term by the General Assembly on 13 May this year, succeeding Achim Steiner of Germany, who led the agency for the past 10 years, UN News Centre said.

Mr. Solheim laid out key issues facing the international community on environmental issues, including pollution as well as the linkages among the environment, wars and conflicts, and migration.

“The World Health Organisation has estimated that seven million people on the planet are dying from pollution – that is more or less the same number of people dying from cancer,” he told reporters in Geneva.

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Comments - 4

annoyed Wednesday, 31 August 2016 03:38 PM

Whilst recognising the lessons learned, one needs to understand that a person or group do not becone terrorists overnight. When they come to that point thier hearts and minds are fully transformed for the cause they fight for. Just talking to terrorist groups would not make them come back to normalcy. It is rather better to respond to them firmly showing that there other alternatives before resorting to terrorism.

Sheri Wednesday, 31 August 2016 03:42 PM

Why is he still around, from one post to another? What has he gained?

Hiran Wednesday, 31 August 2016 04:56 PM

Now he will try to use some unfounded environment issues in SL to punish the government and people

Damian Wednesday, 31 August 2016 09:47 PM

Talking bullshit as usual, hypocrites

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Learnt value of dialogue, compromise as peace negotiator in SL: Solheim

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