Ban Ki-moon's speeches: A quick guide to statements on key issues on UN agenda
| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the press at UN Headquarters in New York on the situation in South Sudan. At right is spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. UN Photo/Mark Garten |
This is the time to massively reinforce UN action. When a Government cannot or will not protect its people, and when warring parties seem more intent on enriching and empowering themselves at the expense of their people, the international community has a responsibility to act.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Headquarters, 11 July 2016
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| Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President of Colombia, shakes hands with Timoleón Jiménez, Commander of the FARC-EP, at the ceremony in Havana for the signing of a ceasefire. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe |
Today the Colombian peace process validates the perseverance of all those around the world who work to end violent conflict not through the destruction of the adversary, but through the patient search for compromise.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Havana (Cuba), 23 June 2016
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the Geneva Conference on preventing Violent Extremism. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré |
While it is inevitable that our discussions today may draw on examples such as Daesh or Boko Haram, let us be absolutely clear from the outset: the phenomenon of violent extremism conducive to terrorism is not rooted or confined to any religion, region, nationality or ethnic group.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Geneva (Switzerland), 8 April 2016
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| In Jordan’s Zaatari camp, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks with young refugees. 27 March, 2016. UN Photo/Mark Garten |
Despite the conflicts in this region, and the social and economic problems they have created, I remain optimistic about the future. That is partly because the vast majority of young people around the world, including in this region, long for peace and security and are committed to human rights.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Amman (Jordan), 27 March 2016
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| Secretary General Ban Ki-moon briefs member states on High-Level Signature Ceremony for Paris Agreement on Climate Change. UN Photo/Mark Garten |
It is important that the Paris Agreement [on climate change] enters into force as soon as possible. The cost of inaction becomes clearer every day. More extreme weather events... Lost lives, lost homes, lost productivity, lost hope. We have no time to delay.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Headquarters, 17 February 2016
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the 26th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe |
This continent has endured discrimination of the worst kind. My dream is that Africa will provide a shining example to the world of tolerance, understanding, and respect for human rights.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 30 January 2016
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| At World Economic Forum, Ban Ki-moon (left) announces creation of UN High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Also pictured Justine Greening and Jim Yong Kim. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas |
Women’s economic empowerment is a key to unlock progress across society. Evidence shows more money in the hands of women means more food in the mouths of children, more resources for education, better investments in the family and greater progress for the community.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Davos (Switzerland), 21 January 2016
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to the medie at UN Headquarters on his return from the climate change conference in Paris known as COP21. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas |
The Paris Agreement is a victory for people, for the common good, and for multilateralism. It is a health insurance policy for the planet. It is the most significant action in years to uphold our Charter mandate to 'save succeeding generations.'
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Headquarters, 14 December 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the General Assembly’s formal debate on peace operations. UN Photo/Amanda Voisard |
The historic adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals last month underscores a long-standing truth: there will be no peace without development, no development without peace, and neither without respect for human rights.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, General Assembly, 12 October 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban greets Pope Francis as he arrives at United Nations Headquarters in New York. UN Photo/Mark Garten |
The 2030 Agenda compels us to look beyond national boundaries and short-term interests and act in solidarity for the long-term. We can no longer afford to think and work in silos.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, General Assembly, 25 September 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the General Assembly. President of the Assembly Sam Kutesa is at right. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz |
With today’s resolution, the United Nations has brought the international community to the cusp of decisions that can help realize the founders’ dream of a world of peace and dignity for all.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, General Assembly, 1 September 2015
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| Following his speech at the annual meeting of the Conference of French Ambassadors in Paris, Secretary-General Ban receives a standing ovation. UN Photo/Evan Schneider |
…There need not be a trade-off between economic growth and addressing climate change…There are tremendous opportunities for countries and companies that take the lead in developing clean energy technologies and markets.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Paris (France), 26 August 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban addresses the press on the new sustainable development agenda, agreed by Member States on Sunday, 2 August 2015. UN Photo/Mark Garten |
We have a big, bold agenda before us – now we must work to make it real in people’s lives.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Headquarters, 3 August 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) greets Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at the opening of the FFD3 conference in Addis Ababa. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe |
The Addis Ababa Action Agenda will be the starting point of a new path for financing sustainable development... Let us send a clear signal that we are serious about supporting sustainable development and providing a life of dignity for all.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 13 July 2015
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| In Oslo (Norway), Ban Ki-moon speaks at launch of final report on MDGs, flanked by Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas |
The MDGs measured what mattered to people. As we look ahead, we must do more to reach those who are most vulnerable, are not counted and have not shared the improvements of the past 15 years.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Oslo (Norway), 6 July 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, in Astana, Kazakhstan. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas |
Leaders and policy-makers must recognize a powerful truth: the larger the spaces for democracy and fundamental freedoms, the smaller the chances for extremism and violence.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Astana (Kazakhstan), 10 June 2015
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| In Incheon, Republic of Korea, Secretary-General Ban opens the World Education Forum. Education minister Hwang Woo-yea (left) and UNESCO's Irina Bokova look on. UN Photo/Evan Schneider |
Education must do more than produce individuals who can read, write and count. It must nurture global citizens who can rise to the challenges of the 21st century.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Incheon (Republic of Korea), 19 May 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) and General Assembly President Sam Kutesa plant a tree in remembrance of the victims of World War II. UN Photo/Mark Garten |
There is much distance still to travel until the seeds sown seven decades ago blossom into lives of dignity and peace for all.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Headquarters, 5 May 2015
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| At a meeting with global financial institutions in New York, Secretary-General Ban calls for a push across all sectors in support of sustainable development, UN Photo/Mark Garten |
We must work closely together to make this year a year of global action, one that will be remembered as the dawn of a new era of sustainable development.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Econ. & Social Council, 20 April 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addreses othe pening session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe |
Too often, leaders have used women to advance their own power. We must use our power to advance women.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Headquarters, 9 March 2015
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| Secretary-General Ban speaks at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he received the prestigious institute’s Humanitarian of the Year award. UN Photo/Evan Schneider |
We are the first generation that can end poverty. We are also the last generation that can slow global warming before it is too late.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), 2 December 2014
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses world leaders at the start of the General Assembly's top-level debate. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas |
With our fates ever more entwined, our future must be one of ever deeper cooperation... Let us find new ways of governing, partnering and problem-solving. Let us empower the United Nations to be more than a first responder or a last resort.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, General Assembly, 24 September 2013
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivers the 2013 Freedom Lecture at Leiden University in The Hague. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas |
I once again appeal to leaders across the world to promote dialogue, reconciliation and support for inclusive political transitions. This is the way to build stable, democratic, free and united societies.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Leiden (The Netherlands), 28 August 2013
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| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses Security Council meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar of Pakistan. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe |
Terrorism festers where conflicts are endemic ... and where human rights, human dignity and human life are not protected and impunity prevails ...We have to drown out shrill appeals to intolerance and extremism with sound calls for compassion and moderation.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Security Council, 15 January 2013
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Latest statements:
- Remarks to Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict
- Calls for the Observance of the Olympic Truce for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
- Remarks at 2016 Junior Chamber International Global Partnership Summit
- Remarks at Security Council open debate on Peacebuilding in Africa
- Remarks at press encounter at Signing Ceremony of Cooperation Agreement with the Inter-Parliamentary Union
- Statement by the Secretary-General on the occasion of the first anniversary of adoption of resolution 2231 (2015)
- Remarks at high-level luncheon of the SDG Business Forum
- Secretary-General's remarks at High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
- Secretary-General's remarks to High-Level Political Forum Side Event on El Niño and Climate
- Remarks at opening press conference of AIDS 2016