The longer we delay, the more we will pay.
BAN KI-MOON
BAN KI-MOON
More from Ban Ki-moon
Let us acknowledge and celebrate what youth can do to build a safer, more just world. Let us strengthen our efforts to include young people in policies, programmes and decision-making processes that benefit their futures and ours.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon Society’s dependence on fossil fuels is jeopardising social and economic progress.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon Since problems spill across borders, security anywhere depends on sustainable development everywhere.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon As the young leaders of tomorrow, you have the passion and energy and commitment to make a difference. What I’d like to really urge you do is to have a global vision. Go beyond your country; go beyond your national boundaries
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon The power of the leader is given to him by the people, so he has a duty to engage and listen more attentively and carefully to the aspirations of the people.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon Climate change has happened because of human behaviour, therefore it’s only natural it should be us, human beings, to address this issue. It may not be too late if we take decisive actions today.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon Planet Earth is our shared island, let us join forces to protect it
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon On this International Day, let us promise to make peace not just a priority, but a passion. Let us pledge to do more, wherever we are in whatever way we can, to make every day a day of peace.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon I am not a national leader. If I am a national leader I can speak out all that I want.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth… these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon We must follow the wisdom of the Brundtland Report. We must pursue development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon On this International Day for the Abolition of Slavery let us reaffirm the inherent dignity of all men, women and children. And let us redouble our efforts to build societies in which slavery truly is a term for the history books.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon Extreme weather events continue to grow more frequent and intense in rich and poor countries alike, not only devastating lives, but also infrastructure, institutions, and budgets – an unholy brew which can create dangerous security vacuums.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon The clear and present danger of climate change means we cannot burn our way to prosperity. We already rely too heavily on fossil fuels. We need to find a new, sustainable path to the future we want. We need a clean industrial revolution.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon One of my earliest memories is walking up a muddy road into the mountains. It was raining. Behind me, my village was burning. When there was school, it was under a tree. Then the United Nations came. They fed me, my family, my community.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon Gender equality and women’s empowerment have been a top priority for me from day one as Secretary-General. And I am committed to making sure that the U.N. leads by example.
Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon
Original quotes
From our community writers
I’ve grown tired of playing the warrior In the battle between me And my demons.
J.S BrownJ.S Brown No matter how many storms pass through it, this heart is still a gentle thing.
Sabina LauraSabina Laura If you want to start something great, you need commitment. But if you want to finish that something great, you need consistency.
Alison ButcherAlison Butcher Abundance is my birthright it starts with harvesting my inner light.
Shannon Van AlstShannon Van Alst I believed in the magic we made, but you were the magician and i was merely your puppet on stage.
Sophie AliaSophie Alia Eternity is vague. Let me fill in the blanks with you.
Addison SchmittAddison Schmitt Action is the key that solves all your problems.
Abel StarcAbel Starc His promises looked so promising that she just ignored the blatant truths.
Krishan PandeyKrishan Pandey
Meet the writers
More on longer
As we reach the crest of life and look at the path before us, we apprehend that the path no longer ascends but slopes downward toward decline and diminishment. From that point on, concerns about death are never far from mind.
Irvin D. YalomIrvin D. Yalom The gymnasiacs of Venice, in California, are so addicted to these practices that there has arisen a nation of men who can no longer put their arms against their sides
Quentin CrispQuentin Crisp America took me into her bosom when there was no longer a country worthy of the name, but in my heart I am German – German in my soul.
Marlene DietrichMarlene Dietrich The emergency no longer existing, lynching gradually disappeared from the West.
Ida B. WellsIda B. Wells Memory believes before knowing remembers. Believes longer than recollects, longer than knowing even wonders.
William FaulknerWilliam Faulkner The Germans and I no longer speak the same language.
Marlene DietrichMarlene Dietrich One should always be wary of anyone who promises that their love will last longer than a weekend.
Quentin CrispQuentin Crisp A longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do.
Wendell BerryWendell Berry