Roundup: UN chief calls for "shared responsibility" in dealing with refugee crisis

Visiting UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday asked members of the international community to share responsibilty in dealing with the refugee crisis.

"It is a situation that is uncontrollable and unsustainable and we are working on it to see how we can, on a global level, attend to it based on shared responsibility," said Ban, addressing the Argentine Council for International Relations.

To that end, the UN is organizing a high-level meeting to map out a blueprint for a better international response, Ban said. The meeting is expected to take place in September.

The UN chief noted that Argentina has taken a step in that direction with a commitment to welcome Syrian refugees.

"Argentina is a land of opportunities, and this country has drawn immigrants from around the world," said Ban, praising the country for its pledge to receive 3,000 Syrian refugees.

The government announced earlier this month it would put in place a plan to receive 300 Syrian refugees in the coming months, with the intention to gradually expand that number tenfold.

Military conflicts in Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, Libya and in other countries have forced some 65 million people to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere, said Ban.

Argentina's transformation from a country ruled by military junta to a democratic state shows that such conflicts can be overcome, said Ban.

"Your historic transition into a solid democracy with justice, accountability and rule of law is an example of hope for the world," said Ban.

Later on Monday, Ban met with Argentine President Mauricio Macri at the presidential residence, Casa Rosada.

The two spoke of ways to strengthen cooperation between Argentina and the UN, said Ban.

Argentina has nominated its Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra to succeed Ban when his term concludes at the end of the year.

Ban also thanked Argentina for its contribution to a recently-authorized UN peacekeeping mission to Colombia, which is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Macri said his government aims to take an active role in global matters. "Argentinians feel we have the capacity and calling to help solve the different challenges that exist in our time, including the refugee crisis, climate change and peacekeeping."

"Argentina has already begun to contribute to a vast number of (global) matters, as the decision to take in Syrian refugees shows," said Macri, noting that Argentina is home to a sizable community of Syrian descendants.

Following Ban's address earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Malcorra said the secretary-general's visit "attests to the important role Argentina has played at the UN." Endi