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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-moon

Society’s dependence on fossil fuels is jeopardising social and economic progress.
BAN KI-MOON

Fossils Fuel Progress
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
It is but a short step from hunger to starvation, from disease to death.
BAN KI-MOON

Disease Poverty Step
Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family
BAN KI-MOON

Expression Fabric Safety
Terrorism is a significant threat to peace and security, prosperity and people.
BAN KI-MOON

People Prosperity Terrorism
Climate change does not respect border; it does not respect who you are – rich and poor, small and big. Therefore, this is what we call global challenges, which require global solidarity.
BAN KI-MOON

Challenges Climate Doe
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
Let us take advantage of the opportunities presented by climate action and lay the foundations for a more prosperous and secure future for all.
BAN KI-MOON

Action Climate Foundation Opportunity
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.
BAN KI-MOON

Death Execution Penalty 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
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
It has been said that knowledge is power. We need to strengthen education systems so that young people can benefit from cultural diversity, and not be victimized by those who exploit differences.
BAN KI-MOON

Differences Diversity People
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
Every literate woman is a victory over poverty
BAN KI-MOON

Literate Poverty Victory
My observation is China is thinking more as a global player than regionally, in both politics and economics.
BAN KI-MOON

Economics Player Thinking
The world is over-armed and peace is under-funded.
BAN KI-MOON

Arm Fund Over World
I am not a national leader. If I am a national leader I can speak out all that I want.
BAN KI-MOON

Leader Speaks Out Want
One of the main lessons I have learned during my five years as Secretary-General is that broad partnerships are the key to solving broad challenges. When governments, the United Nations, businesses, philanthropies and civil society work hand-in-hand, we can achieve great things.
BAN KI-MOON

Government Hands Keys
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-MOON

Decision Effort People
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-MOON

Fighting People Water
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-MOON

Climate Issues Late
The basic building block of peace and security for all peoples is economic and social security, anchored in sustainable development. It is a key to all problems. Why? Because it allows us to address all the great issues-poverty, climate, environment and political stability-as parts of the whole.
BAN KI-MOON

Block Issues Keys
We have seen in the past where leaders have not been open-minded or have not been flexible. That’s why the people came out to the streets and shouted and chanted for more reforms and more freedoms.
BAN KI-MOON

Leader Past People
Many say our world is at a tipping point. If we do not act together, if we do not act responsibly, if we do not act now, we risk slipping into a cycle of poverty, degradation, and despair.
BAN KI-MOON

Our Risk Together World
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
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

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