Ban urges dialogue to ease tensions ahead of constitutional referendum in Congo
Oct 23, 2015, at 01:58 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): Concerned about tensions between opposition parties and the Government of the Republic of the Congo ahead of the referendum on a new draft constitution in the country, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged all stakeholders to choose the path of dialogue and to peacefully resolve any disputes that might arise.
Ban welcomes next phase of Haiti’s electoral process, set for Sunday
Oct 23, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the next phase of the electoral process in Haiti, which will take place on Sunday with the first round of presidential elections, the second round of legislative elections and the holding of municipal elections.
Ban welcomes Korean family reunions, looks forward to more dialogue, exchanges
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:42 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the holding of reunions of separated families of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), and stressed that humanitarian measures such as this should be regularized and not subject to political security and considerations.
'Endless cycle of suffering' must stop, Ban says in Ramallah
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:39 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): On the second day of his visit to Israel and Palestine to ease the current tensions in the region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate end to violence, which "will only push back the day…both sides will live in peace and security," and pledged the support of the United Nations to all efforts to create the conditions to make meaningful negotiations possible.
Ban inaugurates exhibition on UN's 70th anniversary, meets with students in Slovakia
Oct 20, 2015, at 05:07 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): During a visit to the capital of Slovakia on Monday, the United Nations Secretary-General inaugurated an exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of Organization, featured at the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
Ban praises Slovakia and Austria for 'taking care of so many refugees'
Oct 20, 2015, at 03:46 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): While visiting a humanitarian centre in Slovakia on Monday where refugees have been accommodated by the Government, United Nations Secretary-General urged all leaders to show their "global solidarity and compassionate leadership."
Ban says new 2030 Agenda can help eradicate poverty
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): This can be the first generation to witness a world without extreme poverty, where all people – not only the powerful and the privileged – can participate and contribute equally, free of discrimination and want, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Friday, urging global action to fully implement the newly-adopted goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
Africa Week: Ban lauds steps taken for continent’s long-term development agenda
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:16 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Africa Week 2015 kicked off at Headquarters on Monday with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commending African Member States of the United Nations for taking an "important step" this year toward the establishment of a Continental Free Trade Area envisioned in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Ban condemns suicide attacks in Cameroon
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the suicide attacks in Kangaleri, Cameroon, on 11 October, suspected to be carried out by Boko Haram elements.
Ban calls for urgent and collective action to reform UN peace operations
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged immediate action to strengthen the Organization's peace operations, telling the 193-member UN General Assembly that is essential to act now and "not wait, as in the past, for crisis or tragedy to propel reform."
As Guinea awaits election results, Ban urges all political leaders to maintain peace
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): After weekend polls in Guinea, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday encouraged all political leaders and national stakeholders to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed on election day and to refrain from any statements that may lead to violence or unrest.
UN chief condemns suicide attacks in Chad
Oct 12, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Oct 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has denounced the five simultaneous suicide attacks in Baga Sola sous-prefecture in Chad on Sunday, which left scores of civilians dead or injured.
'The stakes are high,' UN chief tells climate finance meeting in Peru
Oct 10, 2015, at 01:41 pm
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS): Stressing that financial resources are central to meeting the goals of the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Agenda, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday said that in order to create a low-carbon, climate-resilient future that benefits everybody, allocating appropriate finance is of key importance.
Ban requests internal probe over claims against former Assembly President
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has requested that the Organization’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) launch an audit of the interaction between the UN and the Global Sustainability Foundation and the Sun Kian Ip Group, and the use of any funds received from these entities, according to a UN spokesperson.
Ban appoints new head of UN mission in DR Congo
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:44 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Maman S. Sidikou of Niger as his new Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of the UN Mission in the country, known as MONUSCO.
Ban welcomes election of chief of UN-backed climate panel ahead of Paris conference
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:19 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the election of Lee Hoesung of the Republic of Korea as Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Hoesung will guide the Panel’s work of assessing the science related to climate change.
Ban welcomes US decision on early release of 6,000 prisoners
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:06 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed on Tuesday the decision by the United States Government to release 6,000 inmates from federal penitentiaries in an effort to ease overcrowding in prisons and provide a degree of redress for persons who received disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug-related offences.
Ban voices profound alarm at growing number of deadly incidents in West Bank
Oct 07, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced "profound alarm" on Tuesday at the growing number of deadly incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Libya: Ban calls for agreement on formation of Government of National Accord
Oct 07, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged participants in the Libyan political dialogue to urgently conclude the process and sign an agreement leading to the formation of a Government of National Accord.
Ban appoints Philippines national as head of UN internal oversight office
Oct 06, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Oct 6 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, following consultations with Chairs of Regional Groups, informed the General Assembly on Monday of his intention to appoint Heidi Mendoza of the Philippines as the new Under-Secretary-General for the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) for a five-year non-renewable term.
Libya: Ban urges parties to reject violence, act quickly on draft peace plan
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Stressing that 18 months of violence has only led Libya down a path of death, displacement and destruction, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged all parties to put aside their differences and act on the draft peace plan they have before them.
UN chief expresses condolences following mass shooting at Oregon college
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his deep sadness in the wake of the mass shooting that took place on Thursday at a college in the state of Oregon in the United States.
Ban takes note of judgement by German court against Rwandan rebel leaders
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has taken note of the trial judgement handed down by a German court against the President and Vice-President of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, also known as FDLR, which has committed war crimes in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Ban urges international support to prevent relapse of Central Africa's violence
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:44 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday underscored the need for concerted action to prevent a relapse of the "horrific" violence that tore the Central African Republic (CAR) apart, while appealing for support from the country's partners to promote long-term peace and development.
Ban welcomes submission of climate action plans by 147 nations
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:11 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the submission of national climate action plans by 147 countries, accounting for over 85 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, calling it a "positive first step" towards achieving a universal climate change agreement this December.
Ban underscores shared responsibility to resolve Mid-east conflicts
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for using all the tools available to the United Nations to help steer the Middle East and North Africa towards a path of freedom, safety and dignity, citing in particular the obligation of the international community to ensure a peaceful solution to the conflict in Syria and accountability for serious crimes committed there.
Amid numerous challenges, Lebanon needs great international support: Ban
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): While thanking Lebanon’s partners for their efforts to support the country in the face of numerous challenges, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday highlighted the need for even greater assistance, particularly as the country deals with the Syrian refugee crisis.
Growing threat of violent extremism demands unified response: Ban
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Addressing the growing threat posed by violent extremist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as Da'esh, goes to the heart of the mission of the United Nations and requires a unified response, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed on Tuesday at a high-level event held in New York.
Breakthrough needed to ensure nuclear-test-ban treaty enters into force: Ban
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Lamenting the fact that nearly two decades after its negotiation the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has still not entered into force, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged world leaders gathered at the United Nations to demonstrate the necessary political will to usher in a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Ban stresses need to respect rights of death penalty victims' families
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): As momentum continues to build towards abolishing the death penalty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday stressed the need to ensure that the rights of victims and their families are respected as part of efforts to ensure a life of dignity for all.