Elections set to begin in Haiti, Ban urges peaceful campaigning
Aug 08, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS): Welcoming the upcoming presidential, legislative and local elections in Haiti, which will begin on Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday stressed the need to ensure credible and peaceful polls.
No more Hiroshimas. No more Nagasakis: Ban
Aug 07, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday renewed his resolve to advance the goal of achieving a world “free of the nuclear shadow,†in a message to mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
Libya: UN-facilitated political dialogue set to begin next week
Aug 07, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): With a new round of the United Nations-facilitated political dialogue set to begin next week, the top UN envoy for Libya, Bernardino León, has urged the parties to redouble their efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the country.
Burundi: UN condemns assassination attempt on leading human rights defender
Aug 05, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations human rights office have strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a leading Burundian human rights defender who was shot and wounded by unknown assailants in the capital on Monday.
White House: Ban says US leadership, support vital to host of global issues
Aug 05, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS): The United Nations counts on the leadership and support of the United States on a range of critical issues, from climate change and sustainable development to resolving crises such as those in Syria and Yemen, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, following a meeting at the White House with President Barack Obama.
Donors urged to meet critical funding shortfall faced by UNRWA for Palestinian refugees
Aug 05, 2015, at 01:48 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS): Voicing concern over the financial situation confronting the United Nations agency assisting Palestine refugees, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on all donors to urgently ensure adequate and sustainable financing for vital services as soon as possible.
Member States lauded for reaching agreement on UN development agenda
Aug 04, 2015, at 02:29 pm
New York, Aug 4 (IBNS): Member States answered the call to make 2015 a year of global action by agreeing on a “bold, ambitious and transformative†sustainable development agenda for the next 15 years, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.
Small islands need partnerships to battle climate change: Ban
Jul 31, 2015, at 02:28 pm
New York, Jul 31 (IBNS): The global challenges facing the small island developing States (SIDS) are the international community’s collective responsibility, on Thursday stated the top United Nations official at the Security Council.
Marking International Day of Friendship, Ban hails power of the human spirit
Jul 31, 2015, at 02:21 pm
New York, Jul 31 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday praised a Paraguayan man whose “profound vision that the forces of animosity and hatred in our world are no match for the power of the human spirit†led to the creation of the International Day of Friendship, which falls on July 30 every year.
Bahrain: UN chief condemns bomb attack in southern village
Jul 30, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, Jul 30 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General has condemned the bomb attack on Monday in the village of Sitra, Bahrain, which reportedly killed two policemen and injured several others.
Yemen: Ban welcomes Saudi-led coalition's announcement of humanitarian truce
Jul 27, 2015, at 01:30 pm
New York, Jul 27 (IBNS): Welcoming the announcement by the Saudi-led Coalition of a unilateral five-day humanitarian pause in Yemen, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on all parties to the conflict to suspend military operations and facilitate safe, unhindered access of relief workers to desperate populations throughout the crisis-riven country.
Colombia: UN chief concerned about uptick in fighting, urges continued peace talks
Jun 26, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, June 26 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the current upsurge in fighting in Colombia in a reversal of recent attempts to de-escalate the country’s long-standing armed conflict, the United Nations spokesperson’s office has reported.
UN chief urges efficient private sector funding for post-2015 development
Apr 09, 2015, at 05:47 pm
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): The international community needs a financial framework capable of confronting the multifaceted crises of the day in a predictable and effective manner if it is to delineate a successful post-2015 sustainable development agenda, United NationsSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed.
'We need to find a way to live together,' says UN chief in special plea for tolerance
Jan 09, 2015, at 07:33 pm
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS) Making an impassioned appeal for tolerance, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for understanding among all communities to heal the tensions within societies – a particularly poignant plea following yesterday’s horrific attack on the staff at French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, and in the face of ongoing sectarian violence across Africa’s Sahel region being fuelled by Boko Haram.
UN requests appointment of panel to probe new information on Dag Hammarskjöld death
Jan 01, 2015, at 08:14 pm
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS) The United Nations General Assembly approved by consensus a resolution that requested Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to appoint an independent panel of experts to examine new information that has emerged on the death of former UN chief Dag Hammarskjöld.
Lebanon: Ban appoints new head to peacekeeping force
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday appointed Major General Luciano Portolano of Italy as the new head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
UN urges China, G77 to unite for combating climate change
Jun 16, 2014, at 04:53 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): As the Group of 77 Summit ends on Sunday with a focus on creating a new sustainable development framework, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed to the G77 and China the importance of cooperation and partnerships to reduce inequality, end poverty and fight climate change.
Iraq: Ban urges leaders to show unity in face of threats
Jun 11, 2014, at 06:06 pm
New York, Jun 11 (IBNS): Urging all political leaders in Iraq to show national unity against the myriad threats facing the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday expressed grave concern about the "serious deterioration" of security in Mosul, and condemned the recent spate of terrorist attacks that have left scores of dead and wounded in Iraq's northern and eastern provinces.
UN hails power of sport to bring communities together
Jun 10, 2014, at 05:08 pm
New York, Jun 10 (IBNS): Just days away from the kick-off of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the "best values of sport" - teamwork, fair play and mutual respect - as the United Nations on Monday joined the international fervour that accompanies the games, even getting its normally staid diplomats out of suits and ties and into their national team uniforms.
Pakistan: Ban condemns latest terrorist attacks
Jun 10, 2014, at 05:00 pm
New York, Jun 10 (IBNS): Strongly condemning Sunday's attacks in Pakistan -which reportedly left more than 50 people dead in the wake of separate assaults on the country's main airport in Karachi, and on busloads of Shia pilgrims in Baluchistan - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged the Government step up its efforts to tackle terrorism and religious extremism.
Ukraine: UN reiterates support for new government
Jun 10, 2014, at 04:58 pm
New York, Jun 10 (IBNS): The top United Nations political official on Monday concluded a visit to Ukraine, where he reiterated UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's commitment to supporting the country, and held meetings with senior Government and civil society representatives.
Ban urges South Sudanese rivals to meet peace accord
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:03 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to meet with former Vice-President Riek Machar on Monday, as agreed to in the May 9 document that aimed to end the fighting in the world's newest country.
Egypt: Ban voices hopes for democracy, stability after elections
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): Taking note of the official release of the results of the recent election in Egypt, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday voiced his hope that President-elect Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will support the people's aspirations for a stable and democratic country.
Toronto: Ban urges investment on health of women, children
May 31, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): Despite major global progress in improving the health of children and their mothers, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged participants at a summit in Toronto to show the leadership, build the key partnerships, generate the financing and devise the creative solutions needed to deliver a world of health, safety and possibility for every woman and every child.
UN honours blue helmets, seeks adaptive peacekeeping force
May 30, 2014, at 05:47 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Hailing the "long and proud" history of United Nations peacekeeping - with over one million "blue helmets" having served in more than 70 operations on four continents since 1948 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led the Organization on Thursday in honouring those men and women who lost their lives in the past year, while looking to the future, envisioning a modern, global force that can effectively tackle emerging peace and security challenges.
UNSC concerned over deadly fighting in eastern Ukraine
May 29, 2014, at 04:58 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): In the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) first meeting on Ukraine since the presidential election there, United Nations political chief Jeffrey Feltman said violence in the country's east has dramatically increased and reiterated Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's call on President-elect Petro Poroshenko to steer the country away from instability.
Brussels: Ban strongly condemns Jewish Museum shooting
May 26, 2014, at 04:48 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): Following a shooting on Sunday at the Jewish Museum of Brussels, which may have been an act of anti-Semitism, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday reiterated his strong condemnation of all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
UN urges restoration of rule of law following Thai coup
May 24, 2014, at 08:35 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday urged Thailand to ensure respect for human rights and a prompt restoration of the rule of law, echoing a call made on Thursday by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following the military coup.
Ukraine: Ban appeals for calm ahead of elections
May 23, 2014, at 04:05 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): As violence continues to roil eastern Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated on Thursday his appeals to all parties ahead of Sunday's scheduled presidential elections to redouble their efforts to help create the conditions that will allow voters across the crisis-torn country to safely cast their ballots.
Mali: Ban urges immediate end to fighting in Kidal
May 22, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday voiced his deep concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the northern Malian town of Kidal, where the United Nations says renewed violence threatens to once again destabilize the country.