Three weeks ago, on 10 January, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the widely respected UN Secretary-General, had the first press conference for the new year. Here are some excerpts from the opening remarks.
He said first that this should be the year of 'intensified diplomacy, inroads against poverty and action on climate change'. In connection with the last-mentioned, he is going to convene 'The Climate Summit' for 23 September.
On the trouble spots in the world, he mentioned Syria, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, and said, 'I am especially alarmed by the spread of sectarian animosity'. On Syria a Conference is going on at Geneva as was announced on this day.
Then he called attention to 'countries where transitions have gone astray, fragility is growing, institutions are falling and democratic governance has faltered'.
Not surprisingly he mentioned Thailand where Bangkok was in danger of being 'shut down'. Quite rightly he pointed out that the relation of Israel and Palestine is one of 'a perilous status quo' and the Israeli policy of building 'well over 1,000 settlement units' was both illegal and an obstacle to peace. The situation in Sierra Leone has got better.
Towards the end, he said the UN should move forward to 'disaster resilience' and 'a nuclear-weapon free world'. That means a move to 'a safer, more just and prosperous world'. He concluded by saying 'I am determined to make this a year of progress for people and the planet'.
Best wishes, Mr. Ban !
He said first that this should be the year of 'intensified diplomacy, inroads against poverty and action on climate change'. In connection with the last-mentioned, he is going to convene 'The Climate Summit' for 23 September.
On the trouble spots in the world, he mentioned Syria, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, and said, 'I am especially alarmed by the spread of sectarian animosity'. On Syria a Conference is going on at Geneva as was announced on this day.
Then he called attention to 'countries where transitions have gone astray, fragility is growing, institutions are falling and democratic governance has faltered'.
Not surprisingly he mentioned Thailand where Bangkok was in danger of being 'shut down'. Quite rightly he pointed out that the relation of Israel and Palestine is one of 'a perilous status quo' and the Israeli policy of building 'well over 1,000 settlement units' was both illegal and an obstacle to peace. The situation in Sierra Leone has got better.
Towards the end, he said the UN should move forward to 'disaster resilience' and 'a nuclear-weapon free world'. That means a move to 'a safer, more just and prosperous world'. He concluded by saying 'I am determined to make this a year of progress for people and the planet'.
Best wishes, Mr. Ban !
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