Press release

Foreign Secretary and Special Envoy open Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict

The Foreign Secretary William Hague and Special Envoy Angelina Jolie marked the start of the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict today.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon William Hague
• Published: 10 June 2014
• Last updated: 10 June 2014 — See all updates

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Foreign Secretary William Hague and Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie opened the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict today. The Summit will welcome governments from over 100 countries, over 900 experts, NGOs, Faith leaders, and representatives from international organisations across the world. It is the biggest ever international meeting on this issue. It demonstrates the global commitment to end sexual violence in conflict and to take decisive action against this crime.

The Foreign Secretary pledged a further £6 million to support survivors of sexual violence in conflict to rebuild their lives and communities. Opening the Summit, the Foreign Secretary said:

From the abolition of slavery to the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty, we have shown that the international community can tackle vast global problems in a way that was once considered to be impossible. There is power in numbers and if we unite behind this cause we can create an unstoppable momentum and consign this vile abuse to history.

The Special Envoy said:

We need to shatter that culture of impunity and make justice the norm, not the exception, for these crimes. We need political will, replicated across the world, and we need to treat this subject as a priority. We need to see real commitment and go after the worst perpetrators, to fund proper protection for vulnerable people, and to step in to help the worst-affected countries. We need all armies, peacekeeping troops and police forces to have prevention of sexual violence in conflict as part of their training.

A full transcript of their remarks is now available.

Follow the Summit live

There are several ways you can keep up-to-date with developments at the summit:

• follow the Summit live on Twitter and via the hashtag #TimeToAct.
• watch the Summit via our live webcast on 10 to 13 June.
• follow our Facebook page.
• keep an eye on Flickr to see the latest images from the Summit.
• follow the Foreign Secretary on twitter @WilliamJHague
• follow Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi on Twitter @SayeedaWarsi
• follow Foreign Office Minister Hugh Robertson on Twitter @HughRobertsonMP
• follow Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds on Twitter @MarkJSimmonds
• follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice

Published 10 June 2014
Last updated 10 June 2014 + show all updates

1. 10 June 2014

   Added translation

2. 10 June 2014

   First published.