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The taking of life is too absolute, too irreversible, for one human being to inflict on another, even when backed by legal process. Where the death penalty persists, conditions for those awaiting execution are often horrifying, leading to aggravated suffering.

Ban 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-MOON

Climate Mean Needs
Our atmosphere can’t tell the difference between emissions from an Asian factory, the exhaust from a North American SUV, or deforestation in South America or Africa.
BAN KI-MOON

America Atmosphere Differences
The international community must offer short-term emergency measures to meet critical needs. But it must also make longer-term investments to promote food production and agricultural development, enhance food security and maintain and accelerate momentum towards the MDGs.
BAN KI-MOON

Community Emergency International Measure Need
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-MOON

Passion Peace Priorities
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-MOON

Memories Rain School
This is the moral challenge of our generation. Not only are the eyes of the world upon us. More important, succeeding generations depend on us. We cannot rob our children of their future.
BAN KI-MOON

Children Eye Our Generation
My observation is China is thinking more as a global player than regionally, in both politics and economics.
BAN KI-MOON

Economics Player Thinking
Nuclear terrorism is one of the most serious threats of our time. Even one such attack could inflict mass casualties and create immense suffering and unwanted change in the world forever. This prospect should compel all of us to act to prevent such a catastrophe.
BAN KI-MOON

Forever Nuclear Terrorism Suffering
Only through women’s full and equal participation in all areas of public and private life can we hope to achieve the sustainable, peaceful and just society promised in the United Nations Charter.
BAN KI-MOON

Achieve Equal Peaceful
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-MOON

Empowerment Example Priorities
I have been urging the leaders to listen to the aspirations and challenges of their own people, and engage in dialogue and take very bold measures. Normally, to their regret, these measures and bold reforms come too late, too little.
BAN KI-MOON

Leader People Regret
A deal must include an equitable global governance structure. All countries must have a voice in how resources are deployed and managed.
BAN KI-MOON

Country Global Warming Voice
Climate change, demographics, water, food, energy, global health, women’s empowerment – these issues are all intertwined. We cannot look at one strand in isolation. Instead, we must examine how these strands are woven together.
BAN KI-MOON

Empowerment Issues Water
Women must be full partners in development, so they can lift themselves and their communities out of poverty.
BAN KI-MOON

Community Development Poverty
National boundaries these days are not that important because of transformative technological development. Now we are talking about the fourth industrial revolution.
BAN KI-MOON

Boundaries Important Revolution
I strongly reject threats by any member state to destroy another or outrageous attempts to deny historical facts such as the Holocaust.
BAN KI-MOON

Country Destroy Historical Holocaust
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-MOON

Book Children Men
SUSTAINABLE PEACE IS POSSIBLE ONLY WITH WOMEN’S FULL PARTICIPATION, their perspectives, their leadership, their daily, equal presence wherever we seek to make and keep the peace.
BAN KI-MOON

Equal Participation Perspective
The unity in diversity of the United States is one of the country’s greatest strengths.
BAN KI-MOON

Country Diversity Unity
Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyones responsibility.
BAN KI-MOON

Boys Girl Responsibility
Saving our planet requires you to be ambitious in what you aim, and, equally, in how hard you work to reach your goal.
BAN KI-MOON

Ambitious Goal Saving
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-MOON

Development Generations Needs
Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth – these are one and the same fight.
BAN KI-MOON

Fighting Growth People
The world is over-armed and peace is under-funded.
BAN KI-MOON

Arm Fund Over World
Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance.
BAN KI-MOON

Exercise Growth Justice
Every literate woman is a victory over poverty
BAN KI-MOON

Literate Poverty Victory
I believe in a world of justice and human rights for all. A world where girls can grow up free of fear of abuse. A world where women are treated with the respect and dignity that is their right. A world where poverty is not acceptable. My dear young friends, you can make this your world.
BAN KI-MOON

Believe Girl Growing Up

The taking of life is too absolute, too irreversible, for one human being to inflict on another, even when backed by legal process. Where the death penalty persists, conditions for those awaiting execution are often horrifying, leading to aggravated suffering.

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The taking of life is too absolute, too irreversible, for one human being to inflict on another, even when backed by legal process. Where the death penalty persists, conditions for those awaiting execution are often horrifying, leading to aggravated suffering.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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