Jeju

26 May 2016

Secretary-General's Remarks to the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity (As Delivered)

Ban Ki-Moon, Former Secretary-General

Thank you for your very warm welcome. And I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to Governor Won Heeryong of Jeju Island, Jeju Province, and the citizens of Jeju for their warm welcome and hospitality.

I am happy to be back in Jeju for this important Forum today.

I am pleased to see so many high-level government officials, business executives, activists, academics and especially young people participating in this very important meeting.

When the Jeju Peace Institute was founded, I was serving as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.

My focus at that time was constructive engagement across Asia and beyond.

When I left to assume my duties as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I promised to the Korean people that I will bring Korea to the world and the world to Korea.

Every day, I proudly draw on my Korean and more broadly Asian heritage. I appreciate the warm support of the Asian leaders and people. And I look forward to Asia for global leadership.

This powerful continent is critical for prosperity and security around the world.

Today I will examine four key themes. They are: global action, regional cooperation, stability on the Korean Peninsula, and human rights for all.

Tackling these interconnected issues will benefit all Asians and our world.

First: global action for peace, people and planet.

I have just come from the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in Turkey. I had a very good bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hwang of Korea.

The Summit made solid commitments to improve the global response to emergencies. The world’s leaders forged a Grand Bargain to better protect people, close the funding gaps, and open new paths for humanitarian action.

Many factors today drive crises, from governance failures to human rights violations.

Climate change remains a major concern.

Asia is critical to climate action.

Asia accounts for nearly a third of all global greenhouse gas emissions.

It is also a source of solutions.

China has the world’s largest wind and solar power capacity. And now, China is a leader in addressing the climate change phenomenon.

Solar power is growing in India and Bangladesh.

Companies across Asia are launching innovative green technologies.

I call on all Asian countries to quickly ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change. We need 55 countries and representing 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. We have already 177 countries signed this Paris Agreement and 16 countries already ratified. I would urge the Korean Government to ratify, and all Asian governments, to ratify this Paris Agreement on climate change as soon as possible, preferably by the end of this year.

Asia’s robust economic growth helped the world cut poverty by half – and achieve the first Millennium Development Goal.

But two out of every three of the world’s poorest people live in Asia – a total of 450 million individuals. The continent faces major threats related to freshwater, land and pollution.

That is why Asia must embrace the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Global progress depends on solidarity.

The United Nations appreciates Asia’s global contributions.

Four of our five top contributors to UN peacekeeping operations are in Asia. And I deeply appreciate those contributions.

The Asia-Pacific region continues to be a centre of economic dynamism and influence.

It is also home to political progress and greater democratization.

These are many hopeful things.

Sri Lanka is overcoming political conflict.

Myanmar is undergoing a peaceful democratic transition.

Last November’s elections opened the potential for an inclusive, harmonious multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy there.

The new leadership of Myanmar must now overcome discrimination, ensure equality and promote inclusive development with full respect for human rights.

The United Nations will continue to support democratic reforms across Asia.

Global action depends on regional cooperation – my second theme today.

I applaud the work of ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, and the East Asia Summit.

I welcome the Republic of Korea’s Eurasia Initiative and the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation initiative.

And I commend renewed plans by the Republic of Korea, Japan and China to hold more regular high-level meetings.

The Seventh Trilateral Summit should be held as soon as possible this year – as the leaders agreed. The United Nations is encouraging all concerned parties to work closely for mutual trust and future-oriented cooperation.

The United Nations is your partner in expanding peace and prosperity across Asia.

Progress will depend on confronting challenges.

A number of Asian countries claim the same territory and maritime areas.

I have consistently called on all parties to resolve their disputes peacefully. They must engage in dialogue in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the United Nations Charter.

I have also consistently expressed hope for the expeditious conclusion of an agreement between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct under the framework of the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea”.

Transnational organized crime, piracy terrorism and other security threats are spreading in Asia. Asian countries must do much more to respond as a region.

Asia is diverse. But Asia must expand commonalities.

It would be tragic for this continent to let the past hold it back.

Asia must resolve longstanding differences.

It is time to agree on borders that are now disputed.

And Asian countries must rise above conflicting interpretations of history.

By squarely and humbly addressing the unfortunate past historical issues, they can focus on the future.

I have seen this work on other continents. Latin America, Africa and Europe have successful agreements and organizations. They helped ease tensions and prevent conflicts.

There are many fast-growing nations on this dynamic continent. Some of their ambitions may clash.

I call on all Asian countries to deepen dialogue and engagement. Expand cooperation. Nurture partnerships and solidify collaboration.

There are no winners in violent conflict – only lost generations, greater poverty and deep bitterness.

We should take pride in our countries. But we need patriotism, not nationalism.

I am Korean through and through. And I am also an active global citizen. Whenever I meet young people I call on them to look beyond their country’s borders and care about our world. These national geographic borders do not mean much these days. We must make sure that our young generation become global citizens with global vision. Look beyond your national borders what other people are doing, how they are doing.

That spirit drives progress.
 
One of the great challenges to global action and regional cooperation is the deeply troubling situation here on the Korean Peninsula.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has recently taken worrying actions.

The international community responded with resolve.

After the DPRK’s nuclear test and missile tests earlier this year, the Security Council unanimously tightened sanctions with Council Resolution 2270.

I hope its implementation will advance denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

The world must hold on a firm line.

The DPRK’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles only undermines its own security and hurts its citizens.

Military spending remains high while children are wasting.

Human rights are systematically abused.

The authorities of the DPRK must correct these wrongs.

We must find the path back to dialogue.

I encourage the DPRK to cease any further provocations and return to full compliance with international obligations.

The rise in tensions on the Korean Peninsula could cast a shadow across Northeast Asia and beyond.

I welcome all efforts to move forward. And I stand ready as Secretary-General of the United Nations and also personally to contribute in any way that might be helpful.

Good relations between the two Koreas are essential for lasting peace – not only on the Korean Peninsula but throughout the region.

There has been progress in Asia on human rights, my fourth focus. But countries and the region as a whole must do more.

The countries of this region are important trading partners. Now they should expand regional cooperation to include human rights.

There has been progress. I welcome the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on human rights and the development of an ASEAN human rights declaration.

Many countries across Asia have engaged with the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review.

These advances show Asia’s potential to confront and end abuses. 

Success demands freedom for civil society organizations.

I am deeply concerned about shrinking democratic space in a number of Asian countries.

I also worry about rising intolerance, hate speech and violence in parts of Asia.

Countries must end violations against religious minorities, migrants, refugees, women and girls as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

Many Asian countries show great compassion.

When it comes to refugees, Pakistan has been among the world’s top host countries for decades in Asia.

Let us remember that there are Asians in Diaspora communities around the world.

They have worked hard, often in tough jobs. They have overcome racial prejudice. They have risen to high ranks in their new societies. They are leaders in business, entertainment and politics and more.

These eminent Asians abroad prove the value of embracing others.

Migrants and refugees here can enhance Asia.

I call on Asian countries to give new arrivals the chance to make a difference.

I treasure Asian culture so much, I study as an amateur calligrapher.

One saying I frequently practice writing is ???? which means, “The highest virtue is to act like water.” 

Water represents wisdom, flexibility and soft power.

Asia has the potential to manifest these invaluable qualities.

Let us join forces to enable this continent to create a better future, and a better future for all the people around the world.

I thank you very much for your leadership.

Kamsahamnida.