Sep 25, 2015, at 03:23 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Speaking at a presidential dialogue on the African Urban Agenda at United Nations Headquarters in New York today, the Secretary-General addressed the leaders of several African countries and highlighted the importance of effective urban planning as a vital tool for development.
UN chief 'deeply saddened' at deaths in wake of stampede at Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:16 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed deep sadness to learn of the death of more than 700 Hajj pilgrims, as well as of injuries to many others caused by a deadly incident in Mina Valley, near Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.
Yemen: UN condemns terrorist attack on Sana'a mosque
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:14 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today’s terrorist attack at the al-Bolayli mosque in Yemen’s capital Sana’a, which happened during prayers for the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Colombia: Ban welcomes 'significant progress' towards reaching final peace agreement
Sep 25, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Following a recent upsurge in fighting between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Government, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursdaywelcomed the agreement reached by the parties in Havana, Cuba on the issue of victims and commended their commitment to place victims at the center of the peace process.
Ban praises progress of panel to investigate chemical weapons in Syria
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:05 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday congratulated the leadership of a panel that has been charged with establishing a mechanism to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Concerned by escalating violence in Burkina Faso, Ban urges respect for all citizens
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following with “great concern†the situation in Burkina Faso, and on Tuesday called upon the country’s defence and security forces to avoid at all costs an escalation of violence and to ensure the respect for physical security and human rights of all Burkinabé citizens.
Ban urges Israelis, Palestinians to defuse tensions, prevent escalation
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:52 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged both the Israeli and Palestinian sides to defuse tensions and prevent an escalation of the current situation on the ground, during a recent phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Yemen: UN chief 'extremely concerned' at escalating ground fighting and airstrikes
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretary-General on Tuesday voiced extreme concern at the escalating ground fighting and airstrikes that have caused further devastation to Yemen’s cities and an ever-growing number of civilian casualties in recent days.
Secretary-General condemns suspected Boko Haram attacks in north-east Nigeria
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the multiple bomb attacks at a mosque and nearby areas conducted by suspected Boko Haram elements in Maiduguri in north-east Nigeria on Sunday.
UN chief strongly condemns reported violence against civilians in Burkina Faso
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:40 pm
N ew York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Mondaystrongly condemned reports of violence against civilians in Burkina Faso and urged the country’s defense and security forces, especially the Presidential Guard, to exercise restraint and respect the human rights of all citizens.
UN chief condemns rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned the recent rocket attacks by extremist Palestinian militants on Israel from Gaza.
Burkina Faso: Ban welcomes release of several leaders, demands others be freed immediately
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the release on Friday of the Transitional President of Burkina Faso who was detained along with several other officials following this week’s coup d’état, and reiterated his demand that all those being held be freed immediately.
As momentum builds for December climate talks in Paris, Ban looks ahead to 'bold' outcome
Aug 27, 2015, at 03:56 pm
New York, Aug 27 (IBNS) Commending France's "exemplary leadership" on efforts to tackle climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday affirmed that the international community is now at a stage where the final elements of the new climate agreement are being negotiated.
In France, Ban and President Hollande discuss global issues including upcoming Paris climate talks
Aug 26, 2015, at 03:09 pm
New York, Aug 26 (IBNS): In Paris today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with the President of France, Francois Hollande, with whom he discussed a range of issues, including the climate change conference, which is due to start in December (COP-21) in the French capital, as well as the next steps to be taken to ensure an ambitious outcome.
Aug 25, 2015, at 03:20 pm
New York, Aug 25 (IBNS) Commemorating the 4th anniversary of the "vicious terrorist attack" that killed 23 United Nations employees in Abuja, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday also paid tribute to the “extraordinary fortitude†and determination of the survivors, many of whom suffered terrible injury and trauma.
Aug 19, 2015, at 03:53 pm
New York, Aug 19 (IBNS) Welcoming Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's commitment to strictly enforce his 'zero tolerance' policy against sexual exploitation or abuse by United Nations personnel, the Security Council on Tuesday stressed the importance of the UN quickly investigating the most recent allegations of misconduct by peacekeepers, and if substantiated, working with the troop contributing countries involved to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
UN chief says education remains 'passport to dignity' for Gaza's children
Aug 11, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): Access to education can provide Gaza’s children with a "passport to dignity" and help break the cycle of poverty and violence that has afflicted the troubled enclave for decades, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.
Ban condemns series of terrorist attacks in Turkey
Aug 11, 2015, at 02:21 pm
New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Monday’s series of terrorist attacks in Turkey, including on the security forces, both in Istanbul and in the south-east provinces, as well as on the United States Consulate in Istanbul.
Ban urges better healthcare for world's indigenous peoples
Aug 11, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): Indigenous peoples must not be left out of the global community’s unfolding sustainable development agenda, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon affirmed on Monday as he marked the 2015 edition of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples with a focus on their lagging access to health care services around the world.
UN chief voices concern over tensions on Korean Peninsula
Aug 11, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced concern over reports that the Korean People’s Army has placed new land mines in the southern half of the Demilitarized Zone in the Korean Peninsula, a spokesperson for the Organization has confirmed.
UN chief condemns killing of peacekeeper in Central African Republic
Aug 03, 2015, at 11:17 pm
New York, Aug 3 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned today the killing of a peacekeeper from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Burundi: After 'broadly peaceful' polls Ban urges parties to resume inclusive political dialogue
Jul 24, 2015, at 03:17 pm
New York, July 24 (IBNS) Taking note of the "broadly peaceful" conduct of polling in the Burundian presidential elections on 21 July, the top United Nations official on Thursday called on all parties to continue to remain calm and immediately resume an inclusive political dialogue.
Ban condemns deadly car bomb attack in Saudi Arabia
Jul 18, 2015, at 02:45 pm
New York, July 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the car bomb attack perpetrated at a police checkpoint yesterday in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.
Ban condemns deadly car bomb attack in Saudi Arabia
Jul 18, 2015, at 02:45 pm
New York, July 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the car bomb attack perpetrated at a police checkpoint yesterday in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.
At Oslo forum, Ban warns capacity to meet humanitarian needs under 'unprecedented strain'
Jul 07, 2015, at 03:10 pm
New York, July 7 (IBNS) The capacity of the United Nations and its partners to meet humanitarian needs is under "unprecedented strain," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Monday at a forum in Oslo, Norway, where he highlight the critical role civil society plays as part of the global effort to save lives, support livelihoods and protect people from violence.
Central African Republic's transition needs international community's support - UN expert
Jun 27, 2015, at 05:17 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS) The international community must redouble its efforts to help the Central African Republic to fully realize its transition to peace, national reconciliation, reconstruction and the end of impunity, the United Nations independent expert on the human rights situation in the country said today.
Europe must uphold values of human rights, democracy, UN chief says in Strasbourg visit
Jun 24, 2015, at 03:38 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) As global challenges proliferate from Yemen to South Sudan and beyond, the United Nations and Europe must unite in the fight to defend democracy and international solidarity, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Tuesday in a sweeping address that touched on issues ranging from the rise of violent extremism to the threat of climate change.
In pivotal year, public servants must rise to the moment: UN chief
Jun 24, 2015, at 03:29 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) In a world of enormous social, economic and environmental challenges, public services must be accountable and our public servants fully able to rise to the moment, on Tuesday said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Central African Republic: Ban appoints panel to investigate UN response to sexual abuse allegations
Jun 23, 2015, at 08:55 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed a panel to investigate the response of the United Nations to allegations of sexual abuse surrounding a deployment of foreign military forces in the Central African Republic (CAR), a spokesperson for the Organization has announced.
Ban appoints Senegalese national as Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF
Jun 09, 2015, at 09:51 pm
New York, Jun 9 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday announced the appointment of Fatoumata Ndiaye of Senegal as Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).