Ban ki-moon

Leaders around the world need not just passion but also compassion to bring about change according to the outgoing United Nations Secretary-General.

Ban Ki-moon who is leaving the UN after 10 years leading the organization, says the new Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has those qualities.

Ari Gaitanis has been speaking to Mr Ban ahead of his departure at the end of the month.

Duration: 2’51”

Extended interview available in a UN Global Perspective special programme.

A new “fusion” restaurant in the Austrian capital Vienna, has found the special ingredient to turn Syrian refugees into budding entrepreneurs with a chance to open their own businesses.

That’s the dream of the founder of Habibi & Hawara, Katha Schinkinger, who was host to a special patron on his last overseas trip as UN Secretary General: Ban Ki-moon, in early December.

The new portrait of out-going UN chief Ban Ki-moon that was unveiled on Wednesday ranks as “the most special project I have ever worked on” says its renowned artist.

South Korean artist, Lee Won-hee, has painted presidents and other leading politicians at home, but his portrait of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is his most significant work yet, he said.

Mr Lee attended the unveiling at UN Headquarters, where the portrait will hang alongside those of Mr Ban’s seven predecessors, on the ground floor of the main Secretariat building.

The “full inclusion and effective participation” of persons with disabilities in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals is vital if they are to succeed.

That’s the message from UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Friday, speaking at a High Level Panel discussion on the 10th anniversary of The Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Probe into South Sudan July attacks points to “lack of leadership”

Transforming the world “for the better” means transforming our towns and cities through sustainable development and planning.

That’s according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, opening the Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador, and urging governments at all levels to work on implementing the so-called New Urban Agenda.

The agenda being adopted this week sets new standards moving forward and is designed to rethink how the fast-growing urban population lives sustainably.

Matthew Wells is in Quito and filed this report.

Duration: 1'53"

A “surge in diplomacy for peace” is needed to limit human suffering across the world, according to the UN Secretary-General-Designate, António Guterres.

Mr Guterres was officially selected as the organization’s 9th Secretary-General on Thursday.

He will begin his five year term on January 1st next year, and will succeed Ban Ki-moon.

Madiha Sultan asked him about his priorities.

Duration: 5'53"

An orchestra of volunteer musicians is preparing for its biggest performance yet…in front of an audience of 4,000 people which is set to include UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Founded and directed by professional conductor Antoine Marguier, the United Nations Orchestra will also be hoping to fulfil another mission, namely raising funds for vital humanitarian work.

Daniel Johnson went to see them in rehearsals ahead of the concert at Victoria Hall in Geneva on Sunday 2 October for the UN chief.

Duration: 4'32"

Terrorism “threat of the century” says Chad President

The President of Chad has described terrorism as the “threat of the century” facing Africa. Extremists, including those belonging to the Boko Haram terrorist group, have destabilized much of the Lake Chad Basin triggering a humanitarian crisis. Daniel Dickinson reports.

African development possible if illicit financial flows are stopped