News by topic: UN Affairs, Secretary-General

In ‘time of tension,’ role of Alliance of Civilizations must be enhanced, says Ban

13 May – In an increasingly interdependent world with diverse cultures exposed to each other more than ever before, the United Nations-backed initiative seeking to enhance cross-cultural relations must be improved to reflect the international community’s changing dynamics, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today.

UN's overall financial situation 'positive,' top management official reports

10 May – The current financial picture of the United Nations is positive, a top official reported today, adding that the Organization still needs to keep a close eye on its assets.

Ban appoints Atefeh Riazi of the United States as new UN information technology chief

9 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Atefeh Riazi of the United States as the new Chief Information Technology Officer for the United Nations, with the responsibility for all substantive and operational needs of the world body relating to information and communications technology (ICT).

Ban appoints British diplomat as new UN envoy for Somalia

29 April – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Nicholas Kay, a diplomat from the United Kingdom, as his new Special Representative for Somalia, it was announced today.

Bangladesh: Ban deeply saddened at loss of life and injuries in building collapse

26 April – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his deep sadness at the loss of life and injuries caused by the collapse of a garment factory on the outskirts of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, earlier this week.

UN Trusteeship Council Chamber reopens with new hopes for the future, Ban says

26 April – The Trusteeship Council Chamber has reopened in a royal ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York after three years of grand-scale restoration.

Ahead of Assembly hall renovation, UN honours designers of its iconic headquarters

24 April – With an extensive renovation of the great General Assembly Hall imminent, United Nations officials today paid tribute to architect Oscar Niemeyer and other members of the UN board of design in a ceremony that revisited the inception of the iconic Headquarters project.

Ahead of talks with World Bank, Ban briefs press at UN Headquarters

17 April – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed correspondents in New York today on a range of issues before beginning two days of top-level meetings in Washington tomorrow aimed at stepping up cooperation between the United Nations and the World Bank, the institution dedicated to providing financial and technical aid to developing countries around the world.