Women must have their ‘rightful place’ at the heart of building peace and security – UN chief

Oct 26, 2016, at 01:34 pm

New York, Oct 26 (Just Earth News): The urgent drive to bring women into their rightful place at the heart of building peace and security “must never stop,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council on Tuesday, calling for key steps towards that goal, including holding all UN peace operations accountable for putting women and girls at the centre of their work.

Global Goals can 'propel us towards a better future for all on a healthy planet,' Ban says on UN Day

Oct 25, 2016, at 04:43 am

New York, Oct 24 (Just Earth News): In his last United Nations Day message as Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon recognized the efforts of courageous UN staff members who are on the frontlines of disaster and violence and continue to respond to the plight of the vulnerable people across the world.

DR Congo: Ban notes conclusion of national dialogue, urges active engagement with all stakeholders

Oct 20, 2016, at 01:38 pm

New York, Oct 20 (Just Earth News): Taking note of the wrap-up of the African-Union mediated national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged the Government to remain actively engage with all political stakeholders, and called on political actors not involved in the talks to resolve their difference peacefully.

HABITAT III: Sustainable, inclusive cities ‘can transform our world for the better,’ Ban tells UN conference

Oct 18, 2016, at 01:27 pm

New York, Oct 18 (Just Earth News): Opening on Monday the United Nations Habitat III conference in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, Secretary-General Ban-Ki-Moon told the gathered delegations that “transforming our world for the better” means re-making towns and cities through sustainable development.

'The United Nations is with you,' Ban tells people of Haiti after witnessing hurricane's wrath

Oct 16, 2016, at 02:38 pm

New York, Oct 16 (Just Earth News): Haiti is facing its largest humanitarian disaster since the 2010 earthquake, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday in Port-au-Prince, where he urged friends of the island nation worldwide to “step up” and provide the resources the Haitian people so desperately need in the wake of the “utter devastation” wrought by Hurricane Matthew.

Rural women's empowerment critical to UN Sustainable Development Agenda – Ban

Oct 16, 2016, at 04:42 am

New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): Marking the International Day of Rural Women, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed that rural women are critical to the success of almost all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they all “have gender equality and women's empowerment at their core.”

Colombia: Ban welcomes announcement of talks between Government and National Liberation Army

Oct 13, 2016, at 12:56 pm

New York, Oct 13 (Just Earth News): Welcoming the announcement that formal negotiations between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) will begin later this month, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed hope that the two sides will reach a sustainable peace agreement as soon as possible.

Ban welcomes start of Guinea-Bissau talks as 'first step' in region-led effort to end political crisis

Oct 12, 2016, at 03:07 pm

New York, Oct 12 (Just Earth News): Welcoming the start of an inclusive dialogue among political leaders, civil society and religious communities of Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon encouraged all the parties to engage in constructive discussions and “seize this opportunity for a favourable outcome” in the interest of the country’s people.”

On World Mental Health Day, Ban cites need of immediate support for post-crisis psychological distress

Oct 11, 2016, at 01:47 pm

New York, Oct 11 (Just Earth News): Marking World Mental Health Day 2016, the United Nations has highlighted the importance of making mental healthcare available to everyone who needs it – with a focus this year on providing immediate support to those in psychological distress after a crisis.

On World Day against Death Penalty, Ban says practice 'has no place in the 21st century'

Oct 11, 2016, at 01:28 pm

New York, Oct 11 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called the death penalty a cruel and inhumane practice – one that 65 countries globally retain for terrorism-related offenses – which is the focus of this year's World Day against the Death Penalty.

Ban announces launch of new partnership platform to support financing for Sustainable Development Goals

Oct 11, 2016, at 01:23 pm

New York, Oct 11 (Just Earth News): Announcing the launch on Monday of a new platform for scaling up innovative finance solutions to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the initiative can help in identifying and piloting innovative finance instruments that can drive investment and support well thought-out SDG interventions.

‘Keep Afghanistan on the path towards stability,’ Ban tells Brussels Conference

Oct 06, 2016, at 04:59 am

New York, Oct 5 (Just Earth News): Addressing a conference aimed at charting a way forward for conflict-ravaged Afghanistan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged the international community to sustain its commitment to support the country and its people, while stressing the importance of holding both donors and the Afghan Government accountable for aid effectiveness.

In Geneva, Ban reiterates call to end Syrian conflict; reflects on tenure as UN chief

Oct 04, 2016, at 01:49 pm

New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): Speaking at a press conference in the United Nations Office in Geneva on Monday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon once again called for the political will to end the Syrian conflict, while also sharing his reflections on the nearly 10 years he spent as the top UN official.

As Colombian voters reject peace deal, Ban pledges UN support as country seeks way forward

Oct 04, 2016, at 01:43 pm

New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): In the wake of a referendum that defeated the peace accord signed by the President of Colombia and the country’s largest rebel group just days ago, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commended the parties for their determination, saying he believed peace could still be achieved and that all Colombians who had committed to ending the 50-year conflict should not be discouraged.

On Non-Violence Day, Ban highlights link between peace and nature

Oct 03, 2016, at 04:10 am

New York, Oct 2(Just Earth News): United Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday stressed the link between non-violence, peace and nature as he observed the International Day of Non-Violence.

Ban to set up probe into deadly attack on UN-Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy in Western Aleppo

Oct 01, 2016, at 01:40 pm

New York, Oct 1(Just Earth News): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will establish an internal United Nations Board of Inquiry to investigate the deadly 19 September incident involving a UN–Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) relief operation to Urum al-Kubra, a town in western Aleppo Governorate.

As Colombians bid farewell to ‘decades of flames,’ Ban pledges UN support to historic peace deal

Sep 27, 2016, at 01:59 pm

New York, Sept 27 (Just Earth News):Colombians are “bidding farewell to decades of flames and sending up a bright flare of hope that illuminates the world,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday in Cartagena, welcoming the signing by the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People's Army (FARC-EP) of a peace deal ending more than 50 years of conflict.

Protecting cultural heritage from combatants promotes human rights and universal values – Ban

Sep 23, 2016, at 02:39 pm

New York, Sept 23 (Just Earth News): Safeguarding cultural property that combatants aim to damage encompasses part of larger endeavours to defend human rights and universal values, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday, calling on the international community to intensify efforts to protect such treasures and end their illicit trafficking.

Agriculture and food system transformation needed on pathway to zero hunger – Ban

Sep 23, 2016, at 02:33 pm

New York, Sept 23 (Just Earth News): While the world has seen some progress on combatting the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, the challenge of providing the fundamental right to adequate food to all people must remain a priority, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday, urging Member States to continue to work together to tackle the problem.

‘There is no time to waste’, Ban says, as Paris climate accord crosses first threshold for entry into force

Sep 22, 2016, at 04:31 am

New York, Sept 21 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Wednesday that more than 55 countries have formally joined the Paris Agreement on climate change signed by world leaders this past April, officially crossing one of the two thresholds required to bring into force the landmark pact that seeks to put the world on a path towards low-carbon growth and a more sustainable future.

At Forum, Ban stresses key role of business in securing way forward on Global Goals

Sep 20, 2016, at 01:09 pm

New York, Sept 20 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday underscored the crucial role businesses play in the realization of Global Goals, or Sustainable Development Goals, adopted a year ago by 193 countries.

DR Congo: Ban condemns deadly clashes between protestors and security forces in capital

Sep 20, 2016, at 01:08 pm

New York, Sept 20 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General on Monday expressed deep concern about the violent clashes between protestors and security forces in Kinshasa, and several other locations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ban hails UN-backed fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria as partnership model for Global Goals

Sep 18, 2016, at 01:41 pm

New York, Sept 18 (Just Earth News): Praising the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as a model of partnership that brings together people and development partners, governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by diseases, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday said such broad cooperation is also the key to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

On Ozone Day, Ban cites progress so far, urges recommitment to environmental protection

Sep 17, 2016, at 03:57 am

New York, Sept 16 (Just Earth News): Marking the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on countries to strengthen climate protection by reducing the use of hydrofluorocarbons.

Two-state solution to Israel-Palestine conflict at risk of giving way to ‘one-state reality,’ warns Ban

Sep 16, 2016, at 01:26 pm

New York, Sept 16 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for intensified efforts to encourage Israelis and Palestinians to take the difficult steps required to change the current destructive trajectory of the conflict, which is heading towards a “one-state reality” rather than a peaceful resolution.

Democratic principles at core of UN 2030 sustainability agenda, Ban says on International Day

Sep 16, 2016, at 04:09 am

New York, Sept 15 (Just Earth News): Emphasizing the links between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and people's fundamental needs, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has marked the International Day for Democracy by stressing that delivering solutions to on Thursday's challenges also requires an integrated and interconnected response.

Refugees, climate change and Syria likely standouts amid ‘whirlwind’ of UN high-level week – Ban

Sep 15, 2016, at 01:23 pm

New York, Sept 15 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday that the global challenges pertaining to refugees and migrants, climate change, and the war in Syria are the major topics that will likely figure prominently in this year’s high-level week at the United Nations.

At East Asia Summit, Ban expresses concern over tensions on Korean Peninsula and in South China Sea

Sep 09, 2016, at 01:58 pm

New York, Sept 9 (Just Earth News):Wrapping up an 11-day trip to Asia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday hailed the region’s economic growth and progress on development, but expressed concerns about some challenges facing the countries there, including the tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea.

At ASEAN-UN Summit, Ban highlights complementarity between world and regional bodies on sustainable development

Sep 08, 2016, at 11:37 am

New York, Sept 8 (Just Earth News): Speaking at a gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations on Wednesday , Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the focus of cooperation between the two organizations on a range of sectors, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Saudi Arabia: Ban, Deputy Crown Prince discuss Palestine refugees, Yemen and climate pact

Sep 06, 2016, at 01:47 pm

New York, Sept 6 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday met with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince, who is also Second Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, discussing the country's financial support for the UN Palestine refugees agency, the conflict in Yemen, protection of children, as well as the Paris Agreement on climate change.