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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

We must unite. Violence against women cannot be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance, by any political leader or by any government.
BAN KI-MOON

Government Leader Political
For my generation, coming of age at the height of the Cold War, fear of nuclear winter seemed the leading existential threat on the horizon. But the danger posed by war to all humanity-and to our planet-is at least matched by climate change.
BAN KI-MOON

Humanity War Winter
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
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
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
World military spending has now risen to over $1.2 trillion. This incredible sum represents 2.5 per cent of GDP (global gross domestic product). Even if 1 per cent of it were redirected towards development, the world would be much closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
BAN KI-MOON

Goal Military Represent World
The current model is global suicide. We need a revolution. Revolutionary thinking. Revolutionary action. Natural resources are becoming more and more scarce.
BAN KI-MOON

Business Suicide Thinking
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
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
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
You have to take ownership and leadership of tomorrow. For that to be possible, you have to strengthen your capacity and widen your vision as a global citizen.
BAN KI-MOON

Citizen Tomorrow Vision
I call for the need of world leaders to address climate change and reduce the increasing risk of disasters- and world leaders must include mayors, townships and community leaders.
BAN KI-MOON

Community Leader Risk
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
As many micro-credit schemes across the world can testify, investment in women is the best investment for the future.
BAN KI-MOON

Credit Investment World
Today, we have more than 110,000 men and women deployed in conflict zones around the world. They come from nearly 120 countries … Thanks to their efforts, life-saving humanitarian assistance can be delivered and economic development can begin.
BAN KI-MOON

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

Fighting Growth People
Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment that allows the world to thrive.
BAN KI-MOON

Energy Growth World
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-MOON

Commitment Country Passion
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
Between now and 2015, we must make sure that promises made become promises kept. The consequences of doing otherwise are profound: death, illness and despair, needless suffering, lost opportunities for millions upon millions of people.
BAN KI-MOON

Opportunity People Profound
Nuclear disarmament is the only sane path to a safer world.
BAN KI-MOON

Disarmament Nuclear Path World
We hold the future in our hands, together, we must ensure that our grandchildren will not have to ask why we failed to do the right thing, and let them suffer the consequences.
BAN KI-MOON

Grandchildren Hands Suffering
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
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
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

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.

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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.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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