Thailand: Ban urges respect of democratic principles
May 21, 2014, at 05:44 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Urging constructive dialogue to end the prolonged political statement in Thailand, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday reiterated his call on all parties to exercise "utmost restraint" in the wake of the army's declaration of martial law in the country.
Ban highlights crises in Ukraine & Syria at meeting with Putin
May 21, 2014, at 05:39 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): With Ukrainians preparing to elect a new president on Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday sat down with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he also discussed a long-overdue political solution in Syria and other challenges to international peace and security.
Shanghai: Ban urges China's support for sustainable development
May 20, 2014, at 05:35 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): The partnership between the United Nations and China was in the spotlight on Monday in Shanghai where just-arrived UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with President Xi Jinping and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi before outlining key global challenges at the city's premiere institute for the study of international politics, economy and security strategy.
Iraq: Ban welcomes parliamentary election results
May 20, 2014, at 05:23 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Welcoming the announcement of the initial results of Iraq's Council of Representatives election, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday looked forward to the final tally and subsequent timely formation of a new government.
Ban commends Guinea-Bissau as electors count ballots
May 20, 2014, at 05:07 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): With ballot counting underway in Guinea Bissau's presidential run-off, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the successful conclusion of the second round of voting and urged the political parties to peacefully address any grievances arising from the elections through the appropriate channels.
Somalia: UN deploys special force to protect staff in Mogadishu
May 19, 2014, at 05:02 pm
New York, May 19 (IBNS): A special United Nations defensive military force recommended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to protect UN staff and facilities in Mogadishu, was deployed on Sunday to shore up the world body's operations in long-troubled Somalia.
UN marks Buddhist holy day, Ban urges work for common good
May 14, 2014, at 06:41 pm
New York, May 14 (IBNS): The Buddhist teachings of peace, compassion and love should help guide governments and the international community, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, urging international cooperation for the betterment of all humankind.
Norwegian General to head UN peacekeeping force
May 13, 2014, at 05:17 pm
New York, May 13 (IBNS): Major General Kristin Lund, of Norway, has become the first woman ever to serve as Force Commander in a United Nations peacekeeping operation, it was announced on Monday.
Ban urges restraint amid breaches of South Sudan ceasefire
May 13, 2014, at 05:15 pm
New York, May 13 (IBNS): Political dialogue is the only answer to the conflict in South Sudan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed on Monday, as he urged maximum restraint by all parties amid accusations of breaches of the ceasefire agreement signed just a few days ago.
Despite recent escalation, conflict in Ukraine can be averted: Ban
May 13, 2014, at 05:06 pm
New York, May 13 (IBNS): There is still time to avert a full-blown conflict in Ukraine, where the crisis continues to escalate, particularly in the east and south of the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.
Nigeria: In wake of abductions, Ban set to send high-level envoy
May 09, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, May 9 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday voiced his deep concern at the fate of the recently kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria during a phone call with the country's President, Goodluck Jonathan, who has accepted the United Nations chief's offer to send a high-level envoy to discuss how the world body can support the Government tackle internal challenges.
South Sudan: Ban urges peace as political rivals agree to meet
May 07, 2014, at 05:22 pm
New York, May 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that South Sudan's President and his main political rival - whose respective forces are locked in an increasingly brutal conflict in the country - have said they plan to "sit down together" later this week for talks on ending nearly five months of fighting.
Ban to dispatch top political aide to Ukraine
May 03, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, May 3 (IBNS): As the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened its second urgent session this week on the situation in Ukraine, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his grave concern over the rising tensions in the country's east and south, particularly events in the crisis-gripped city of Slovyansk, where two Ukrainian military helicopters were shot down overnight and a group of European observes captured on 26 April remains in detention.
Syria: Ban deplores targeting of civilians for tactical purposes
May 01, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, May 1 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday condemned 'in the strongest terms' the latest attacks in Syria - which left dozens of civilians dead or wounded from mortar fire and shelling in neighborhoods in Homs and Damascus - and called on the Government and opposition groups to resist provocations that could undermine peace efforts.
UN goes Bollywood to promote LGBT rights
May 01, 2014, at 05:27 pm
New York, May 1 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office launched in Mumbai on Wednesday the latest phase of its global fight against homophobia: a Bollywood-style video called 'The Welcome', accompanied by an appeal from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to end the prejudice that forces millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to live in fear or hide in shame.
Ban seeks efforts to remove weapons of mass destruction
Apr 29, 2014, at 05:29 pm
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): Ten years after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) took "bold action" to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for intensified efforts to remove the threat posed by these weapons and to prevent terrorists from acquiring them.
UN joins Olympic Committee to promote sport in development
Apr 29, 2014, at 05:17 pm
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): With Norwegian professional biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen and Boston Marathon male winner Meb Keflezighi watching on, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach on Monday signed an agreement between their respective organizations, marking an "historic step" in their cooperation to promote the role of sport in development and peace.
Egypt: Ban alarmed by recent mass death sentence
Apr 29, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday voiced alarmed at the news that another preliminary mass death sentence has been handed down in Egypt, where more than 680 people were reportedly on trial, a topic he will raise later this week in a meeting with the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nabil Fahmy.
Ukraine: Ban demands release of OSCE military monitors
Apr 29, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday strongly condemned the detention of international military monitors and staff in Ukraine, and demanded that they be released "immediately, unconditionally and unharmed."
Ukraine: Ban urges diplomatic solution to crisis
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:15 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called on all parties to seek a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis, warning that the situation could "spin out of control quickly," while the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that is opening a preliminary probe into alleged crimes of humanity committed in the country.
Algeria: Ban lauds peaceful polls, encourages democracy
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:42 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday congratulated the people and Government of Algeria on the peaceful holding of recent presidential elections and encouraged them to work together to strengthen the democratic process in the country.
Ukraine: UN calls for immediate de-escalation of violence
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:20 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about continued violence in eastern Ukraine, which has led to loss of life, further instability and which is contributing to a climate of fear and anxiety, his spokesperson said on Thursday.
South Sudan: Ban condemns attack on UN base in Jonglei
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:19 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): Amid escalating violence in northern and central South Sudan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned Thursday's attack on civilians and peacekeepers at the UN mission base in Bor, the war-torn capital of Jonglei state, by a mob of armed civilians who forced their way into the facility and opened fire on displaced persons sheltering inside.
Geneva: Ban welcomes initial talks to defuse Ukraine crisis
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday said he was encouraged by the initial round of diplomatic negotiations on the crisis in Ukraine held in Geneva, but stressed that all sides need to follow up words with deeds as the situation remains 'extremely volatile.'
CAR: Ban calls on all parties to end fighting
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:09 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): On the heels of his recent visit to the Central African Republic (CAR), where the deadly rift between Christians and Muslims continues to widen, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday in a radio message appealed to all Central Africans to build a unified country through peace.
Nigeria: UN seeks immediate release of abducted school girls
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:48 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have condemned the abduction of some 100 school girls from their hostel in north-eastern Nigeria on Tuesday and called for their immediate release.
Mexico: Ban urges renewed global partnership for development
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:02 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): With the deadline for the globally agreed development targets fast approaching, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called for a renewed global partnership to advance sustainable development and a life of dignity for all.
Syria: Ban condemns spiralling violence, urges end to conflict
Apr 09, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): Amid surging violence across Syria, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the killing of an elderly priest in Homs and the ongoing brutality against the civilian population, and urged all Syrians and their outside supporters to put a stop to this conflict, "now".
Kigali: Ban marks 20th anniversary of Rwandan genocide
Apr 08, 2014, at 07:03 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): Commemorating "one of the darkest chapters in human history," United Nations officials paid tribute this morning to the 800,000 men, women and children - overwhelmingly Tutsi, moderate Hutu and Twa - that were systematically killed 20 years ago in Rwanda, and urged the international community to work together and remain vigilant to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.
Afghanistan: Ban welcomes polls as transition of power
Apr 08, 2014, at 06:58 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the Afghan people for Saturday's historic presidential and provincial elections, which marked "an important step forward" in the country's path to democracy.