UN Condemns Violence Against Protesters In Bahrain

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says those responsible for the violence against peaceful demonstrators in Bahrain must be held accountable. (00:21)

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Middle East and North Africa Need Bold Reform, Not Repression Says UN Secretary General

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says government officials in North Africa and the Middle East must enact bold reform to meet the demands of their population. (00:31)

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UN Secretary General Commends Egyptian Courage

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon commends Egyptians for their courage and peaceful and orderly protests. (00:22)

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UN Secretary General: Egypt's Youth Has Been Heard

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says it is up to Egyptian youth to decide the future of their country. (00:12)

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UN Secretary General Calls On Interim Egyptian Leadership To Respect Human Rights

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says ensuring human right and civil liberties will be crucial in Egypt’s path towards democracy. (00:21)

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UN Secretary General Says Egyptian Transition Must Meet Aspirations Of People

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon calls on Egyptian authorities to ensure peaceful and transparent transition that leads to the quick establishment of civilian rule. (00:28)

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UN Secretary General: Mubarak Resignation In Wider Interest Of Egyptian People

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says he respects President Mubarak decision to step down and is following developments closely. (00:19)

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Sudanese Believe There Cannot Be Peace Without Justice, Says Advocate

Gabriel Stauring, co-founder and director of StopGenocideNow.org/i-Act, discusses the challenges of bringing peace to wartorn Sudan. President Obama is scheduled to meet with Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to discuss the situation in Sudan tomorrow. (0:17)

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Sudanese Peace Agreements Will Not Be Easy, Says Messinger

Ruth Messinger, president of the American Jewish World Service, and a panel of Sudanese and Anti-Genocide experts discuss the current situation in Sudan on the eve of President Obama’s meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Sudan. (0:13)

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U.S. Not Working Alone In Sudan, Says Expert

John Prendergast, co-founder of Enough, discusses President Obama’s meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Sudan. (0:21)

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Ban Ki-Moon Says Iran Should Suspend Nuclear Enrichment Activities

Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, responds to a TRNS question on Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) criticism of the country’s growing nuclear program. The President of the Islamic Republic, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, is expected to meet with Ban Ki-Moon when he attends the UN General Assembly in New York on September 23rd. (1:35)

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UN Chief Making "Best Efforts" To Faciliate Peace Negotiatons Between Israel, Palestine

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says during a briefing with reporters Thursday that he is preparing a report ahead of his meeting with the UN General Assembly. Moon tells Talk Radio News Service's Tala Dowlatshahi that he is in talks with Israeli and Palestinian authorities regarding continued peace negotiations between the two sides. (1:14)
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Leaders need to lead against AIDS

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon talks about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS worldwide and the need for leadership to take the lead on this issue. (0:50)
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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Launches Symposium Supporting Victims of Terrorism

Today Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, held a press conference to mark the opening of the Symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism. He called the Symposium "a historic moment", as it is the first time the UN has called together member states, civil society and victims of terror to discuss "practical and concrete solutions" for victims and their families. He remarked that it is "long overdue" that the UN is focusing on the needs of victims.

Also speaking were four representatives of victims of terrorism: former president of CNN International Mr. Chris Cramer, Mr. Ashraf Al-Khaled, NGO Liaison Officer Ms. Laura Dolci-Kanaan, and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.

Mr. Cramer was held hostage for just over a day at the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980; he emphasised the need for "sensitivity" in the media toward the suffering of terror victims, and the need for "guidelines" on what behaviour is appropriate in pursuing a story.

Mr. Al-Khaled, who lost twenty seven friends to terrorism when his wedding ceremony was bombed in November 2005, described terrorism as a "disease", but one that could be defeated if the world provided a "united front".

Ms. Dolci-Kanaan's husband was among the UN staff members who were killed in the 2003 terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad. She spoke of the need for terror victims to have "solidarity with fellow human beings." She went on to remark that victims of terror have had their rights to life, freedom, health, truth and justice violated, ans asked for the international community to give these rights back to those who have suffered.

Ms. Betancourt, a noted Colombian politician, was held hostage in the Colombian jungle for six years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) terrorist group. She stated that "we need to show the world that we are better than terrorism."
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on G8, Climate Change, and Sudan

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed the press at UN headquarters in New York about his recent trip to Asia, including the G8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan.



The SG traveled between his home nation of Korea, China, and Japan.  He expressed that all three nations are "rising" powers, and that their futures are interlinked.

Mr. Ban would not characterize the G8 summit as a success or failure, but did mention that he was pleased with apparent progress.  The Secretary-General noted that the United Nations and international community must focus on three specific areas of growth; climate change, food security, and development.  (Listen to audio.)  He applauded the G8 nations on their commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2050.  The SG also acknowledged a financial commitment by G8 nations of $10 billion to help food security, but reminded the nations that true food security requires $25 billion per year.  Regarding development, particularly in Africa, the SG was please by the eventual goal to recruit 1.5 million health care workers over the next several years.  Additionally, the G8 will work towards a donation of 100 insecticide-treated bed nets to help prevent Malaria.

In Sudan, the Secretary-General condemned in the strongest possible language the recent attack on United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). (Listen to audio.) According to the UN, the attack was perpetrated by approximately 200 members of the Janjaweed militia, and involved the use of "heavy arms" by forces on horseback and in SUVs.  Seven UNAMID members were killed, and another 22 were injured.  The SG reminded all involved parties to remember their commitments to peace and stability in the region.

During today's press conference, Mr. Ban also condemned violence surrounding the on-going electoral crisis in Zimbabwe.  The SG indicated that all G8 members are "seriously engaged" in finding solutions to crisis.  The Security Council is currently deliberating on potentially sanctioning the government of Zimbabwe.

Finally, Mr. Ban addressed climate change.  He stressed that work towards improving the climate change crisis will greatly assist the UN's other two goals of food security and improved development in Africa. (Listen to audio.) Although there were no consensus agreements on short-term and mid-term reductions in carbon emissions, the Secretary-General was pleased at progress made by G8 nations.

All audio segments streaming and download below.

Video Report by Dan Patterson recorded after the Secretary-General's press conference:

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Tour Myanmar

Tomorrow United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will tour some of the most devastated areas of Myanmar before headed to Bangkok for a meeting with the Association of South East Asian Nations about their relief efforts. Dan Patterson updates live from the United Nations. (1:14)
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UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon: "Myanmar cannot do it alone"

Regarding the severity of the Myanmar cyclone disaster, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made statements about the relief efforts, aid distribution, and behavior of the Myanmar government during a press conference today. (5:20)



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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [audio]

Download Secretary General Ban Ki-moon full statement audio.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke at the United Nations today about the Capital Master Plan, global food shortages, and his recent trip to Africa. Click the link above to download the full audio of his statements.


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Spokesperson for the Secretary General on Kenya [audio]

From the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon's comments on the progress made in Kenya, specifically Mr. Kofi Annan's role in brokering a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

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Ban Ki-moon's Comments on the Gaza Situation [audio]

From the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon's comments on the continued hostilities between Israel and Palestine.

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