Burundi: Ban welcomes African Union decision on addressing political and security crisis
Oct 28, 2015, at 02:39 pm
New York, Oct 28 (IBNS): In a phone call on Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, discussed the situation in Burundi, with Ban welcoming recent decision by the AU Peace and Security Council on addressing the country's political impasse.
Côte d’Ivoire: Ban welcomes completion of first round of presidential elections
Oct 28, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Oct 28 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the successful completion of voting in the first round of presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire, which took place on Sunday.
UN remains 'beacon for all humanity,' says Ban ahead of 70th anniversary
Oct 24, 2015, at 02:44 pm
New York, Oct 24 (IBNS): Marking the 70th anniversary of the Organization ahead of UN Day on 24 October, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said there is only one flag that belongs to everyone – the blue flag of the United Nations.
As Côte d’Ivoire prepares for presidential polls, Ban urges peaceful process
Oct 24, 2015, at 02:38 pm
New York, Oct 24 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is closely following developments in Côte d’Ivoire ahead of this weekend’s presidential elections and has welcomed the commitment of national stakeholders to participate in the process in a peaceful and transparent manner.
UN chief concerned by rising number of executions in Iran
Oct 20, 2015, at 03:49 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): Expressing his "deep sadness" at the recent execution by Iran of two juvenile offenders, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday noted with concern the alarming increase in executions in the country over the last decade.
'Hunger is more than a lack of food – it is a terrible injustice,' says Ban
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): On World Food Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is underlining that "hunger is more than a lack of food—it is a terrible injustice," while reaffirming the global community’s commitment to work together “to end hunger in our lifetime.â€
Rural women are the backbone of sustainable livelihoods: Ban
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:12 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): Marking the International Day of Rural Women, the United Nations on Thursday affirmed the role of women as significant and crucial for the progress of rural households, local and national economies.
UN budget proposal shows commitment to strict financial management: Ban
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Introducing his proposed $5.5 billion budget for the work of the United Nations over the next two years, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that it encompasses the Organization's "vision and commitment to budget discipline and strict financial management."
Bolivia: Ban urges action on climate change, says caring for planet is moral issue
Oct 12, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Oct 12 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, speaking in Bolivia at the Peoples World Conference on Climate Change and the Defence of Life, said that the subject of the conference was both "important and timely."
Burkina Faso: Ban meets with transition President Kafando
Oct 06, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Oct 6 (IBNS): In a meeting on Monday with Michel Kafando, the Transitional President of Burkina Faso, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his sympathy for the lives lost and the many injured during the coup d’état that took place on 16 September 2015.
Boko Haram violence an 'affront to humanity,' Ban declares
Oct 05, 2015, at 01:14 pm
New York, Oct 5 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the bomb attacks of 2 October in the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria, as well as the multiple suicide bombings of 1 October in the city of Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, all by suspected Boko Haram elements.
After Jerusalem attack, Ban warns of dangerous slide towards escalation
Oct 05, 2015, at 01:12 pm
New York, Oct 5 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the attacks on Saturday in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the killing of two members of an Israeli family and injuries to Israelis and Palestinians in subsequent incidents in various Jerusalem neighborhoods.
Gandhi's dedication to non-violence still remains example for all: UN chief
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:26 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called for a renewal of the commitment to non-violence and lives of dignity for all, noting that the example set by Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi is relevant now as it has ever been.
Pacific islands play vital role in advancing action on climate change: Ban
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:49 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Located on the frontlines of climate change, Pacific island nations have a crucial role to play in efforts to advance a sustainable future, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the region's leaders as they met on Thursday at United Nations Headquarters.
UN event tackles biggest refugee and migration crisis since Second World War
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:40 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): As the world confronts the biggest refugee and migration crisis since the Second World War, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday convened a high-level meeting on the issue and outlined eight guiding principles to improve preparedness.
With South Sudan at crossroads, Ban urges parties to reaffirm commitment to peace
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Citing a new window of opportunity for peace in South Sudan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on all parties to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the peace agreement signed last month, including by immediately halting military operations and forming the Transitional Government of National Unity.
Upcoming elections represent milestone in Myanmar's democratic transition: Ban
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): The upcoming elections represent a milestone in Myanmar's transition to democracy, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, adding that their credibility will depend on acceptance of its outcome among the political leaders and the broader population.
World leaders to gather for 70th General Assembly at a time of turmoil and hope: Ban
Sep 17, 2015, at 02:00 pm
New York, Sept 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wenesday he will convene a high-level meeting later this month to mobilize a “humane, effective and rights-based response†to a global crisis that has seen 60 million people flee their homes by an unprecedented number of brutal conflicts, the breakdown of basic governance and mounting economic despair.
Nepal: Ban stresses need for dialogue, respect for peaceful protest
Sep 12, 2015, at 02:56 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is concerned about the recent violence in Nepal and saddened by the loss of lives, a spokesperson for the United Nations chief said on Friday.
Syria: Ban promises establishment of chemical weapons accountability probe
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:12 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s authorization to set up an investigative mechanism to identify who is responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria, promising its "speedy establishment" and urging full cooperation by all parties in Syria.
Beijing: Ban urges China to help build momentum ahead of Paris conference
Sep 04, 2015, at 02:40 pm
New York, Sep 4 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday thanked China for its efforts to address climate change, both through its actions and policies, and called for Beijing's continued support for building momentum ahead of the Paris Climate Change Conference.
Guatemala: After President's resignation, Ban calls for peaceful elections
Sep 04, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Sep 4 (IBNS): Taking note of the resignation of President Otto Pérez Molina of Guatemala, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday said he trusted that the authorities would abide by the Constitution and ensure an orderly democratic transition.
UN hands over draft global sustainability agenda to Member States
Sep 02, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Sep 2 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday approved a resolution sending the draft '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' to Member States for adoption later this month, bringing the international community "to the cusp of decisions that can help realize the… dream of a world of peace and dignity for all," according to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Civil society must be partners in implementing UN sustainability agenda: Ban
Sep 01, 2015, at 01:29 pm
New York, Sep 1 (IBNS): With speakers of parliament meeting at United Nations Headquarters at a moment when the world is gripped by multiple crises – displacement has soared to all-time highs and the threat of climate change grows by the day – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the legislators to help drive forward the new UN sustainable development agenda and ensure that civil society are equal partners in "building the future we want."
Prohibition of enforced disappearance is 'absolute,' UN declares
Aug 31, 2015, at 01:58 pm
New York, Aug 31 (IBNS): Marking the fourth International Day of Enforced Disappearances, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon denounced the “alarming†number of acts by that are tantamount to enforced disappearances and appealed to all Member States to ratify or accede to the legal instrument prohibiting such acts.
UN officials urge Member States to make young people ‘drivers of change’
Aug 13, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Marking International Day of Youth, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed that no one knows better than young people the issues at stake in Wednesday's rapidly changing world or the best way to respond, and declared, “That is why I am calling on young people to speak out – and I am urging leaders to listen.â€
Central Africa: Ban vows action on allegations of sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers
Aug 13, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Vowing “decisive action†on reports of sexual exploitation committed by United Nations peacekeepers deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that he has accepted the resignation of the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, scheduled a special session of the Security Council on the matter, and pledged the Organization’s commitment to bringing any and all perpetrators of such abuse to justice.
UN stresses role of geospatial data to achieve sustainable development goals
Aug 12, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): Geographic information about people and the planet is critical to making better decisions and using resources more wisely, and will be vital to achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals that countries have recently agreed on, according to a United Nations expert on the issue.
Central Africa: Ban 'dismayed' by allegations of abuse by UN 'blue helmets'
Aug 12, 2015, at 02:02 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his consternation regarding a number of allegations concerning the conduct of United Nations peacekeepers deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR), a spokesperson for the Organization has confirmed.
Central Africa: UN investigating incident leading to death of five blue helmets
Aug 10, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Aug 10 (IBNS): The United Nations mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has launched an investigation into an incident on Saturday in which a Rwandan peacekeeper shot dead four of his colleagues and wounded eight others before he also died.