Latest headlines
Secretary-General calls for global alliance to protect world’s biodiversity
10 November 2009 – As a year-long campaign to safeguard the world’s biological diversity gets underway, Secretary-General called on countries and people all over the planet to engage in a global alliance to protect life on Earth. FULL STORY>>
Ahead of Washington visit, Ban expresses belief in climate change talks
09 November 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced confidence for an agreement next month on fighting global warming even as key issues remain unresolved, a day before he travels to Washington D.C. to discuss with senior officials and congressional leaders what world governments expect in terms of the United States’ role. FULL STORY>>
Iraqi decision means election preparations can now proceed, Ban says
08 November 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed today's approval by Iraqi lawmakers of amendments to electoral laws, saying the move – which follows weeks of deadlock – means national parliamentary polls can be held in January as scheduled. FULL STORY>>
Secretary-General encouraged by deal resolving political crisis in Honduras
30 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said that he is encouraged by news that an agreement has been reached to resolve the political crisis in Honduras that began when President José Manuel Zelaya was ousted from power in June. FULL STORY>>
Guinea-Bissau closer to political stability, security – Secretary-General
29 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed cautious optimism over the progress of democracy in Guinea Bissau, where a series of political assassinations earlier this year threatened stability in the impoverished West African country. FULL STORY>>
Afghanistan: Ban appeals to Member States for extra security for UN staff and premises
29 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he will ask Member States to expedite measures to strengthen security to respond to the “dramatically escalated” threat against the United Nations, as witnessed by the deadly attack yesterday in Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed five UN staff and injured several others. FULL STORY>>
Jerusalem must be capital of both Israel and Palestine, Ban says
28 October 2009 – Jerusalem must be the capital of two States – Israel and Palestine – living side-by-side in peace and security, with arrangements for the holy sites acceptable to all, if peace in the Middle East is to be achieved, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned today. FULL STORY>>
Secretary-General strongly condemns deadly bombing in Pakistani city
28 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon deplored today’s bombing of a crowded marketplace in the Pakistani city of Peshawar that has killed more than 80 people and injured at least 160 others and is only the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting civilians across the country. FULL STORY>>
Hizbollah must disarm to ensure Lebanon’s sovereignty, Ban warns
27 October 2009 – Disbanding militias in Lebanon – especially Hizbollah, which fought a war with Israel in 2006 – is “of vital importance” to the country’s democracy and sovereignty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in a new report, where he voices satisfaction at progress made towards stability. FULL STORY>>
Renewed multilateralism order of the day, Ban tells graduates in Seattle
26 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the need for greater collaboration among nations to address common challenges, including the global economic slowdown, the flu pandemic and climate change, adding that the United States is central to these efforts. FULL STORY>>
Climate change the focus as Ban kicks off visit to Seattle
25 October 2009 – Climate change was the focus today as Ban Ki-moon kicked off his first visit to Seattle as United Nations Secretary-General, setting out to see firsthand the efforts of United States citizens, communities and businesses to protect the environment. FULL STORY>>
Secretary-General condemns 'senseless' double bombings in Baghdad
25 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the double bombings which killed and wounded hundreds today in Baghdad, and called on all Iraqis to work to protect the progress the country has achieved so far. FULL STORY>>
Human trafficking victims address UN event as Ban calls for broad-based action
22 October 2009 – The United Nations hosted a special event at its New York Headquarters today for the victims and survivors of human trafficking, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issuing a broad-based call to action for States to tackle the root causes and ensure swift justice against the perpetrators. FULL STORY>>
Secretary-General unveils sculpture at UN to commemorate Olympic Truce
20 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the importance of the global call for a halt to all fighting during the Olympics, as he unveiled a sculpture at United Nations Headquarters, ahead of the Winter Games to be held in Vancouver, Canada, next year. FULL STORY>>
Iran: Ban troubled by reports of violent extinction of election protests in latest report
15 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was “deeply troubled” by reports of excessive force, arbitrary arrests and possible torture in the suppression of protests over the disputed Iranian presidential elections, in a report to the General Assembly on the country’s human rights situation that was released today. FULL STORY>>
Secretary-General urges global response to combat trafficking of fake medicines
12 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged collective action to protect people from falling victim to the “insidious and illicit” trade in counterfeit medicines, a problem affecting all countries but which hits the poor particularly hard. FULL STORY>>
Secretary-General welcomes Armenian-Turkish accord
10 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed today's signing of two protocols paving the way towards normalizing ties between Armenia and Turkey, voicing hope that the move will contribute to peace, security and stability in the South Caucasus region. FULL STORY>>
Secretary-General strongly condemns latest deadly bomb attack in Pakistan
09 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned today’s bombing at a marketplace in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar that has killed at least 49 people and injured many more and is the latest in a string of deadly attacks across the country. FULL STORY>>
Madagascar: Ban urges leaders to build on momentum for unity government
07 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Madagascar’s leaders to quickly conclude talks on a transitional government following progress made under United Nations-backed mediation in the crisis that led to the President’s ouster earlier this year. FULL STORY>>
Information technologies vital to tackling climate change – UN Secretary-General
05 October 2009 – Information and communication technologies are vital to tackling climate change, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a global forum that kicked off today in Geneva, urging participants to think of creative ways to use the latest technology to usher in a green economy. FULL STORY>>
Iran’s new uranium plant violated UN resolutions, Ban says
29 September 2009 – A newly revealed Iranian uranium enrichment facility violates United Nations Security Council resolutions because of the delay in its disclosure, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today. FULL STORY>>
World leaders make progress on climate change and disarmament, Ban says
29 September 2009 – The meetings of world leaders at the General Assembly over the past week have made progress on major issues including climate change, nuclear disarmament and the global financial crisis with the United Nations playing a pivotal role, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today. FULL STORY>>
Darfur: Ban deplores attack resulting in death of African Union-UN peacekeeper
29 September 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned an attack on an African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) convoy that resulted in the death of a peacekeeper, and appealed to Sudanese authorities to ensure that those responsible are held to account. FULL STORY>>
Guinea: Ban condemns ‘excessive use of force’ against protesters
28 September 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the “excessive use of force” after dozens of protesters in Guinea were killed today when security forces opened fire on an opposition rally in the capital, Conakry. FULL STORY>>