Quotes by Ban Ki-moon

About Ban Ki-moon:

Ban Ki-moon is a South Korean statesman and politician who is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations. Before becoming Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he graduated from university, accepting his first post in New Delhi, India.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Messengers of Peace such as Midori - and our Goodwill Ambassadors, who work directly with the UN agencies - are dedicated and well-informed and credible advocates on behalf of the United Nations. They help us educate audiences worldwide and rally sup...

Ban Ki-moon

Our work for human dignity is often lonely, and almost always an uphill climb. At times, our efforts are misunderstood, and we are mistaken for the enemy. There has been a clear erosion of respect for U.N. blue and our impartiality.

Ban Ki-moon

It is a sad but undeniable reality that people have died in the line of duty since the earliest days of the United Nations. The first was Ole Bakke, a Norwegian member of the United Nations guard detachment, shot and killed in Palestine in 1948. The ...

Ban Ki-moon

To measure the success of our societies, we should examine how well those with different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members.

Ban Ki-moon

The true measure of success for the U.N. is not how much we promise, but how much we deliver for those who need us most.

Ban Ki-moon

Frankly speaking, I don't know much about rock music. But I enjoyed some when I was in college or high school. But I stopped listening after Elvis Presley!

Ban Ki-moon

Nuclear power plants must be prepared to withstand everything from earthquakes to tsunamis, from fires to floods to acts of terrorism.

Ban Ki-moon

The U.N.'s humanitarian agencies rely on charitable donations from the public as well as the generosity of governments to continue their lifesaving work in response to natural disasters, armed conflicts and other emergencies.

Ban Ki-moon

Charity plays an important role in upholding the values and advancing the work of the United Nations.

Ban Ki-moon

The tragic nuclear accident at Fukushima underscored the urgent need to enhance nuclear safety and the international emergency response framework. I commend the International Atomic Energy Agency for its work.

Ban Ki-moon

Cities can be the engine of social equity and economic opportunity. They can help us reduce our carbon footprint and protect the global environment. That is why it is so important that we work together to build the capacity of mayors and all those co...

Ban Ki-moon

The U.N. might not be the most luxurious place to work, but it certainly is one of the most important places in the world.

Ban Ki-moon

The catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons require that it be treated as a top priority. Disarmament will work better than any alternative in reducing the risk of use.

Ban Ki-moon

All women and girls have the fundamental right to live free of violence. This right is enshrined in international human rights and humanitarian law. And it lies at the heart of my UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign.

Ban Ki-moon

I call for greater measures to involve more women at higher levels in mine action. Governments should do more to address gender in their mine action programmes and through their implementation of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention.

Ban Ki-moon

As a child growing up during the Korean War, I knew poverty. I studied by candlelight.

Ban Ki-moon

We must eliminate all nuclear weapons in order to eliminate the grave risk they pose to our world. This will require persistent efforts by all countries and peoples. A nuclear war would affect everyone, and all have a stake in preventing this nightma...

Ban Ki-moon

When I was six, the Korean War broke out, and all the classrooms were destroyed by war. We studied under the trees or in whatever buildings were left.

Ban Ki-moon

Author Bio

  • NameBan Ki-moon
  • Description8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • BornJune 13, 1944
  • CountrySouth Korea
  • ProfessionPolitician; Diplomat
  • AwardsDoctor Honoris Causa