Salamatsizby Urmattu Myrza Janna iymdar. (Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen)

Your Excellency Speaker Kurmanov, Honourable Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world knows Kyrgyzstan for the warmth of your freedom-loving people ... the richness of your culture ... the beauty of your ancient lands.

It is a pleasure and a great honour to be here for the first time, to see and experience all this for myself.

Excellencies,
Dear colleagues,
Dear friends,
Above all, dear families of those to whom we sadly bid farewell:

Let us begin by thanking the families and friends who have traveled far to be with us. To those who could not be here, please know that our hearts are with you.

We are joined by duty stations around the world — the men and women of our proud United Nations.

Among them are the members of our UN mission in Haiti, who have carried on despite their pain and hardship.

Chairman Falk,

Minister Storberget,

Ambassador Yañez-Barnuevo (of Spain),

Mr. Minerson,

Ms. Rashid,

Archbishop Tutu who will join us through a video message,

Mr. Ochora, other members of my Network of Men Leaders,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

One year ago, I launched my Campaign “UNiTE to End Violence against Women.”

Our Campaign is helping to galvanize action across the UN system.

On behalf of the United Nations and all of its Member States here, I would like to thank the Government of Greece for hosting this third Global Forum on Migration and Development.

Mr. President,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr. President, let me express my heartfelt congratulations on your assumption of the presidency. I wish you every success and assure you of my full support.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Dr. Hans Blix, President of the World Federation of UN Associations,
Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo, of the Republic of Korea,
Foreign Minister Yu Myung Hwan, of the Republic of Korea,
Distinguished Presidents and members of United Nations Associations,
My fellow “global citizens for the United Nations,”

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hans Blix for his outstanding leadership as President of WFUNA.

I convey my appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea for hosting this event.

President Davaa, Excellencies, Distinguished faculty and guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be here with you today.

Over the past two days, Mrs Ban and I, and all my colleagues, have had a wonderful visit to this beautiful country.

It was indeed a special privilege to visit the Hustai National Park, to spend a night in a traditional ger, and to get a taste of the rich culture of Mongolia.

Excellencies,
Distinguished guests and colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is my second visit to Myanmar in just over a year. Both visits have been at critical times for the country's future.

My first visit was in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. This devastating natural disaster, which took so many lives and created so much hardship, touched hearts across the globe. In Myanmar's moment of need, the world responded generously.

I want to personally thank everyone here today for your remarkable contributions to the relief and recovery effort.

Excellencies

Distinguished guests,

Dear colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen

One year ago, I launched a campaign calling on people and governments the world over to unite to end violence against women and girls.

We called it “Unite to End Violence against Women”. And unite we must.

It is sometimes said that women are weavers and men are too often warriors.

Women bear and care for our children. In much of the world they plant the crops that feed us. They weave the fabric of our societies.

Thank you very much, Rabbi [Arthur] Schneier, for that kind introduction.

I especially appreciate you for calling me a mensch. With apologies to those of you who do not speak Yiddish, I have to say: thank goodness he didn't call me meshugenah.

To all, I wish you Shabat Shalom.

Excellencies, distinguished Ambassadors to the United Nations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we mark the International Day of Commemoration honoring victims of the Holocaust. This is a most important and solemn occasion.