Civilians brave freezing temperatures as Aleppo evacuations resume – UN

Dec 22, 2016, at 03:27 pm

New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News): With civilians in war-battered eastern Aleppo braving sub-zero temperatures, evacuations escorted by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) resumed on Wednesday, as the agency estimates that more than 25,000 people have been evacuated from besieged neighbourhoods over the past five days, the United Nations said.

DR Congo: Ban urges political leaders to put country ahead of partisan considerations

Dec 22, 2016, at 03:26 pm

New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News): Calling on Congolese political leaders to place the interests of the country and its people above partisan considerations, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday that he is keeping a close eye on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the mediation led by the Conférence épiscopale nationale des églises du Congo (CENCO) resumes.

Guinea-Bissau: Ban urges leaders to demonstrate goodwill to resolve political crisis

Dec 22, 2016, at 03:07 pm

New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News): Expressing concern over the impact of a prolonged political and institutional crisis in Guinea-Bissau, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the country's leadership to work towards a long-lasting political solution to the crisis on the basis of a regional roadmap agreed in September this year.

DR Congo: Ban condemns killing of UN peacekeeper

Dec 20, 2016, at 03:43 pm

New York, Dec 20 (Just Earth News): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the killing of a peacekeeper from South Africa deployed with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in North Kivu earlier on Monday.

Act now to halt South Sudan’s ‘trajectory towards mass atrocities,’ Ban urges Security Council

Dec 20, 2016, at 03:41 pm

New York, Dec 20 (Just Earth News):Amid growing tensions and increasing despair among South Sudan’s population, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday warned that the international community’s failure to act now could put the country on a trajectory towards mass atrocities.

Ban commends West African countries’ firm decision to stand by Gambian President-elect

Dec 20, 2016, at 03:38 pm

New York, Dec 20 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday commended decisions by a bloc of West African countries to take all necessary actions to enforce the outcome of the presidential election in Gambia, guarantee the protection of President-elect Adama Barrow, and attend the new leader’s inauguration ceremony on 19 January 2017.

UN condemns assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey

Dec 20, 2016, at 03:33 pm

New York, Dec 20 (Just Earth News):Strongly condemning the assassination on Monday of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov in Ankara, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council emphasized that there is no justification for targeting diplomatic personnel and civilians.

'Every migrant is a human being with human rights,' says UN chief on International Day

Dec 19, 2016, at 05:23 am

New York, Dec 18 (Just Earth News): Despite appearances and media spin, "migration does not have to be chaotic or seem like an invasion," and as yet another turbulent year for millions of people on the move comes to an end, the United Nations is marking International Migrants Day with a worldwide call for more cooperation and a resolute rejection of intolerance and policies driven by xenophobic rhetoric.

Political accord's slow implementation has not brought peace and stability Libyans deserve – Ban

Dec 18, 2016, at 01:29 pm

New York, Dec 18 (Just Earth News): Marking the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Libyan Political Agreement, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended all Libyans who engaged in the “milestone” process, but cautioned that while much progress has been made, “the road to peace is long” and the Libyan people have not yet achieved the stability and security they deserve.

Ban condemns deadly attack on military post in northern Burkina Faso

Dec 17, 2016, at 02:12 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today's attack against a military post in Nassoumbou, province of Soum in the north of Burkina Faso, in which Burkinabè soldiers were killed and injured.

Possibility of genocide in South Sudan is ‘all too real,’ Ban warns in opinion piece

Dec 17, 2016, at 01:53 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):Given the scale of the disaster in South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council, regional organizations and the international community must step up to their responsibility to the help the country’s people, who have suffered through three years of bloody conflict, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Fridayin an opinion piece published by Newsweek.

Israelis and Palestinians must ‘rebuild trust in each other,’ Ban tells Security Council

Dec 17, 2016, at 01:39 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):While the international community must spare no effort revive waning support for the long-sought two-state solution for Middle East peace, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the United Nations Security Council on Fridaythat “ultimately, it is up to the Israelis and the Palestinians to make peace,” and called on the two sides to “rebuild trust in each other.”

‘Aleppo now synonym for hell,’ Ban warns in final press conference as UN chief

Dec 17, 2016, at 01:32 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):In his last press conference as United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Fridaydelivered stark warnings on two issues at the forefront of international concern: that “the carnage in Syria remains a gaping hole in the global conscience;” and that South Sudan faces a risk of genocide as the country leaders have “squandered a peace agreement.”

Gambia: UN chief 'dismayed' at military takeover of electoral commission

Dec 15, 2016, at 01:58 pm

New York, Dec 15 (Just Earth News): Expressing dismay at the takeover of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) premises by the military in Gambia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the security forces to immediately vacate the Commission and to refrain from any further acts that could jeopardise efforts towards the peaceful transfer of power.

The vulnerable ‘must be our first priority,’ says Ban, calling on donors to support UN emergency fund

Dec 14, 2016, at 02:59 pm

New York, Dec 14 (Just Earth News): At a high-level pledging conference in New York today on the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the UN is seeking at Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s request, an unprecedented $1 billion by 2018 – a stark increase since its 2005 establishment.

UN pays tribute to Secretary-General Ban’s ‘never-tiring service to humanity’

Dec 13, 2016, at 02:19 pm

New York, Dec 13 (Just Earth News): The General Assembly on Mondaypaid a tribute to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his “never-tiring service to humanity” over the past decade, while also swearing in his successor António Guterres, who will assume his duties on 1 January 2017.

Ban congratulates Ghana on peaceful elections but urges peaceful resolution of any disputes

Dec 10, 2016, at 05:14 am

New York, Dec 9 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the people of Ghana for exercising their democratic rights and peacefully conducting the presidential and parliamentary elections on 7 December.

Ban voices deep concerns over renewed violence in the Central African Republic

Nov 30, 2016, at 05:24 am

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): Expressing deep concerns over last week's renewed violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) that has reportedly claimed dozens of lives and displaced more than 11,000 persons – many civilians – United Nations Secretary-General has called on the armed groups to immediately and to “genuinely” commit to peace.

Ban welcomes Canada’s announcement of donation to UN Palestine refugee agency

Nov 17, 2016, at 12:30 pm

New York, Nov 17 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed Canada’s announcement that it was resuming support to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) by donating CDN $25 million for the agency’s essential health, education, relief and social services and humanitarian programmes that benefit 5.3 million Palestine refugees.

Ban condemns terrorist attack against Sufi shrine in Pakistan

Nov 14, 2016, at 04:53 am

New York, Nov 13 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the terrorist attack on a Sufi shrine in southwestern Pakistan yesterday that reportedly killed dozens of worshippers.

In phone conversation, Ban welcomes US President-elect Trump's calls for unity

Nov 13, 2016, at 05:17 am

New York, Nov 12 (Just Earth News): In a phone call this afternoon, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Donald Trump on his election as the next President of the United States.

Prospect of solution ‘within reach,’ Ban says, as Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders open talk

Nov 08, 2016, at 01:46 pm

New York, Nov 8 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon offered his “full support” to the talks between the Greek Cypriot leader and the Turkish Cypriot leader, concentrated on the chapter of territory, as well as other outstanding issues interdependently, kicked off on Monday in Switzerland.

On historic day for climate action, Ban urges sustained momentum for better, safer future

Nov 05, 2016, at 04:44 am

New York, Nov 4 (Just Earth News): As the Paris Agreement on climate change enters into force, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for the same determination going forward to implement the Agreement as well as to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ban welcomes announcement of adoption of new Constitution in Côte d'Ivoire

Nov 04, 2016, at 01:44 pm

New York, Nov 4 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed on Thursday the announcement of the adoption of the new Constitution in Côte d'Ivoire by the Commission Electorale Indépendante, which followed the 30 October constitutional referendum.

“To transform our world, we must transform its cities” says UN chief on World Cities Da

Nov 01, 2016, at 01:37 pm

New York, Nov 1 (Just Earth News): With more than half of the global population now living in cities and human settlements, greater attention needs to be placed on the role of urbanization as a source of global development and social inclusion, according to the United Nations on World Cities Day.

Ban condemns outbreak of violence and attacks on UN mission in Central African Republic

Oct 27, 2016, at 04:38 am

New York, Oct 26 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the outbreak of violence, on 24 October, in the Central African Republic's (CAR) capital, Bangui, that killed at least four civilians and injured nine others.

Ban hopes South Africa will ‘reconsider’ decision to withdraw from International Criminal Courtes South Africa will ‘reconsider’ decision to withdraw from International Criminal Court

Oct 25, 2016, at 02:31 pm

New York, Oct 25 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has regretted the decision of the South African Government to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and expressed hope that the country will reconsider its decision before the withdrawal takes effect.

‘Crimes of historic proportions’ being committed in Aleppo, UN rights chief warns

Oct 22, 2016, at 05:19 am

New York, Oct 21 (Just Earth News): Describing the bombardment and crippling siege of Syria’s war-ravaged eastern Aleppo as “crimes of historic proportions” the top United Nations rights official on Friday urged the members of the UN Human Rights Council to “speak with one voice” in an effort to end the bloodshed.

Ban welcomes reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria

Oct 15, 2016, at 01:34 pm

New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday welcomed the reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls, who were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgent group more than two years ago, while expressing deep concern about the safety and well-being of the remaining schoolgirls and other victims still in captivity.

Ban condemns attacks against UN mission in Mali

Oct 05, 2016, at 04:53 am

New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned yesterday's series of attacks against the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).