'Together, we can move from aspiration to action,' Ban tells global, regional leaders in Qatar
May 22, 2016, at 01:16 pm
New York, May 22 (Just Earth News):With the Doha Forum meeting “at a time of fragility and vulnerability,†United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday that while progress on the UN's 2030 Agenda is crucial to usher in sustainability and equity, more must be done now to end conflict and suffering.
Venezuelan Government and opposition should address challenges through dialogue – Ban
May 22, 2016, at 01:13 pm
New York, May 22 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon continues to follow events in Venezuela and is encouraged by the ongoing initiatives by former Heads of State and Government to promote dialogue between the Government of Venezuela and the opposition, under the auspices of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
In phone call, Ban and Kenyan President discuss government's decision to close refugee camps
May 19, 2016, at 01:32 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke on Wednesday by telephone with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya following the Kenyan Government's recent decision to close the Dadaab refugee camps, expressing deep appreciation for the country's decades of generosity to asylum seekers.
Colombia: UN chief welcomes agreement to separate children from FARC
May 18, 2016, at 01:19 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the announcement by the Colombian Government and a long-time opposition group Sunday of an agreement to separate and reintegrate children associated with the insurgent force.
Wrapping up official visit to Portugal, Ban receives ‘Order of Liberty’ medal
May 14, 2016, at 01:54 pm
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): On the final day of his visit to Portugal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday received a medal in honour of his distinguished services to the cause of democracy and freedom.
In Portugal, Ban urges end of ‘horrible’ war in Syria in meeting with Syrian students
May 13, 2016, at 01:59 pm
New York, May 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As part of his visit to Lisbon, Portugal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday met with a group of Syrian students, commending them for their strength and resilience and stressing that the only sustainable solution to the education crisis in Syria is ending the “horrible†war.
In Mauritius, Ban urges focus on small States in realizing development targets
May 10, 2016, at 09:54 am
New York, May 10 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Small island developing States magnify the issues of sustainable development due to their unique vulnerabilities, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday, calling for extra attention to be paid to the experiences and needs of nations such as Mauritius as leaders continue to work on implementing development targets.
May 05, 2016, at 01:40 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A consequence of failing to fund the activities of the United Nations agency tasked with ensuring the wellbeing of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East would be an increased risk of extremism, more poverty, and a region even more riven by conflict, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Wednesday , urging donors to step up their financial support.
Ban announces intention to appoint seasoned Mexican diplomat to head UN climate framework
May 04, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has started the process of consultation with the Conference of Parties through its Bureau, and has informed of his intention to appoint Patricia Espinosa Cantellano of Mexico as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Ban announces intention to appoint expericed Norwegian offical to head up UN environment office
May 04, 2016, at 01:43 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Following consultations with the chairpersons of the regional groups of Member States, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the General Assembly of his intention to appoint Erik Solheim of Norway as the new Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Syria: UN chief calls on warring parties to put cessation of hostilities 'back on track'
May 03, 2016, at 12:59 pm
New York, May 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the warring Syrian sides to immediately recommit to the cessation of hostilities and uphold their responsibility to protect civilians, his spokesman said on Monday.
‘We have come too far to go back,’ says Ban on Day of Remembrance for chemical warfare victims
Apr 30, 2016, at 01:27 pm
New York, Apr 30 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has marked the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare with a call for reflection on the “terrible toll†of chemical weapons and for taking stock of efforts to chart a course to a world free from the menace of such weapons.
Secretary-General appoints 12 new members to UN University Council
Apr 29, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, Apr 29 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Director-General Irina Bokova of the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) appointed 12 new members to the governing UN University (UNU) Council.
‘Yemeni people deserve no less,’ says Ban, urging start of peace talks
Apr 20, 2016, at 01:58 pm
New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged all parties to the peace process in Yemen to “engage in good faith†with his envoy, so that talks can start without further delay.
‘Yemeni people deserve no less,’ says Ban, urging start of peace talks
Apr 20, 2016, at 01:56 pm
New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged all parties to the peace process in Yemen to “engage in good faith†with his envoy, so that talks can start without further delay.
Gambia: Ban calls for release of detained protesters after death of opposition members
Apr 18, 2016, at 12:35 pm
New York, Apr 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Concerned about the apparent use of excessive force on peaceful demonstrators in Gambia after at least three people died in State custody, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday called on authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested during Thursday's protest.
World needs ‘new vision for urbanization,’ says UN chief
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:48 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Welcoming Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa to the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday said the world needs a new vision for urbanization – a “New Urban Agenda†– to help protect the environment and limit climate change.
Remembering on Rwanda, Ban urges a firm stand against hate speech
Apr 08, 2016, at 12:33 pm
New York, Apr 8 (Just Earth News/IBNS): On the 22nd anniversary of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday highlighted the role hate speech plays in inciting division and violence, and urged the international community to “fight genocide ideology.â€
In Stockholm, UN chief highlights climate change and human mobility as pressing issues
Mar 31, 2016, at 02:13 pm
New York, Mar 31 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Visiting Sweden on Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored the many challenges the world currently faces, including one of the most pressing of them,climate change.
On International Day, Ban calls to bring all perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice
Mar 26, 2016, at 01:13 pm
New York, Mar 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS):On the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged for intensified efforts to bring all perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice, and to end impunity.
On slavery remembrance day, UN chief shines a light on African diaspora's legacy
Mar 26, 2016, at 01:10 pm
New York, Mar 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday highlighted the African diaspora's contributions to society, including culture, medicine, science and spirituality, as the global community gathered to honour the millions of Africans forcibly exploited by slavery.
Fight against tuberculosis only 'half-won,' UN chief says on World Day
Mar 25, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, Mar 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Observing World Tuberculosis Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for united global efforts to end the deadly disease by 2030 as it would claim the lives of 1.5 million people this year alone.
In Lebanon, Ban prasies country's generosity towards Syrian refugees
Mar 25, 2016, at 01:29 pm
New York, Mar 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived this morning in Lebanon, starting with a visit to the Headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, in Naqoura and then holding a joint press conference where he praised the generosity the country and Lebanese people have shown towards Syrian refugees.
Ban spotlights need for human, economic development in Africa's Great Lakes region
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:03 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday stressed the importance of human and economic development in addressing peace and security challenges in Africa's Great Lakes region, calling for the use of natural resources there as a powerful driver of growth.
'Assault on one minority community is attack on all,' Ban says on Day to eliminate racism
Mar 22, 2016, at 02:57 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Observing the world's day set aside to bolster efforts on eliminating racial discrimination, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged increased global efforts towards that aim and declared that “an assault on one minority community is an attack on all.â€
Earth Hour 2016: UN goes dark to spotlight climate change
Mar 20, 2016, at 12:15 pm
New York, Mar 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations will go dark later this evening as the Organization shuts off the lights at its iconic Headquarters complex in New York and other facilities around the world in observance of 'Earth Hour,' an annual global event to put the spotlight on the issues facing the planet and to inspire millions across the world to live more sustainably.
UN chief condemns deadly Istanbul attack as 'appalling violence'
Mar 20, 2016, at 12:13 pm
New York, Mar 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday has condemned the bombing in the Turkish city of Istanbul and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, consistent with human rights obligations.
As UN Human Rights Council marks 10th anniversary, Ban urges body to increase 'impact'
Mar 16, 2016, at 01:52 pm
New York, Mar 16(Just Earth News/IBNS):Human rights are, sadly, “under attack†worldwide, and the United Nations Human Rights Council must increase its impact on the ground over its second decade, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday as the Organization's main human rights body marked the 10th anniversary of its creation.
Syria: Ban condemns bombings in Damascus
Feb 02, 2016, at 02:11 pm
New York, Feb 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): In the wake of a "heinous" terrorist bombing outside Damascus on Sunday, which reportedly killed more than 60 people, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged Syrian Government and opposition negotiators at UN-mediated talks in Geneva to "agree on immediate improvements to Syria’s dire humanitarian situation."
African Union: Ban discusses Burundi, South Sudan and counter-terrorism
Jan 30, 2016, at 03:07 pm
New York, Jan 30 (Just Eath News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, in an address to the African Union Peace and Security Council, spotlighted three topics high on the regional body's agenda – counter-terrorism, and the ongoing crises in both South Sudan and Burundi – all of which require urgent attention at the continental-level and from the wider international community.