Russian Emergencies Minister Meets With UN Secretary-General-Elect Guterres

Russian Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov has discussed the implementation of humanitarian projects with United Nations secretary-general-elect Antonio Guterres.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – The sides also discussed provision of humanitarian aid to people caught up in various emergencies situations.

"During the meeting we talked through all the issues and stances of Russia: that the role of the United Nations in the implementation of humanitarian projects and provision of aid to people in need and during emergencies situations of a natural and man-made character, during mass migration, must increase," Puchkov told journalists after the talks.

He added that the idea of the Russian Emergencies Ministry on boosting civil protection services in developing countries was supported by Guterres.

Puchkov also said that the ministry already has warm relations with the secretary-general-elect established during Guterres’ work in the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Guterres will assume the post of UN Secretary General on January 1, 2017, replacing Ban Ki-moon.