Asia Pacific

As G-8 leaders gather in Japan, Ban urges action on three key challenges

7 July 2008
As the leaders of the Group of Eight (G-8) countries gathered in Hokkaido, Japan, today for their summit meeting, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call for urgent action to tackle three key challenges the world is currently grappling with.

Secretary-General urges Pakistanis to unite against terrorism after deadly attacks

7 July 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged all political forces in Pakistan to unite against the “scourge of terrorism” amid a series of recent bombings which have left several dead and many more wounded.
Radhika Coomaraswamy

Afghan children the victims amid ‘deteriorating security situation’ – UN envoy

7 July 2008
A surge in recruitment of child soldiers, the maiming and killing of children, child detention and a serious humanitarian situation are all posing major threats to children in Afghanistan, according to the United Nations envoy on children and armed conflict who has recently returned from a five-day visit to the country.

Enhanced UN mission vital to helping Afghans improve their lives – Ban

7 July 2008
Helping the people of Afghanistan to rebuild the strife-torn nation and improve their daily lives will require strengthening the United Nations mission there in a number of key areas, including increased staffing and possible structural changes, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report.
Ban Ki-moon addresses participants of the Model UN at Cheongju University

Ban urges young Koreans to look beyond national boundaries

5 July 2008
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on students in his native Republic of Korea to look beyond national borders and aim high to help solve world's many problems.

Afghanistan: top UN envoy deplores killing of Wolesi Jirga member

5 July 2008
The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan today expressed shock and sadness at the assassination of Haji Habibullah, the Kandahar province member of Wolesi Jirga (People's House).
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) with Yu Myung-hwan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea

Ban urges Republic of Korea to take on greater global responsibilities

4 July 2008
Meeting leaders and addressing the National Assembly of his native Republic of Korea today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the East Asian nation to shoulder increased responsibilities to help tackle global challenges.
Radhika Coomaraswamy

Ongoing violence taking heavy toll on Afghanistan’s children, says UN envoy

3 July 2008
The ongoing violence in Afghanistan is taking a heavy toll on the nation’s children, who continue to be the victims of attacks, recruited and used as combatants and sexually abused, the United Nations envoy for children and armed conflict said today at the end of a five-day visit.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right), receives honorary doctorate from Seoul National University

Addressing alma mater, Ban urges Koreans to do more to tackle global challenges

3 July 2008
On his first visit to the Republic of Korea since becoming United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon today called on his fellow countrymen to play a larger role in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, rising food and energy prices and terrorism.

Mongolia must ensure basic human rights during state of emergency – UN

3 July 2008
United Nations human rights officials have called on authorities in Mongolia, where a state of emergency has been imposed in the wake of post-electoral violence, to exercise restraint and ensure that fundamental human rights are protected.