Development, Millennium Dev. Goals

As Secretary-General of the United Nations, it is a great pleasure for me to attend this UN DPI/NGO Conference – the first time it is held in Asia, here in Gyeongju, Korea. The first time in Asia.

This city of Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla dynasty, which lasted for a thousand years. Still today, monuments here show that era’s remarkable cultural, historical achievements.

I wish to pay tribute to the citizens and government of Gyeongju for their warm hospitality and support for this DPI/NGO Conference.

This is a great way to start my day in Gyeongju. Thank you for organizing this very important meeting for me, youth representatives and leaders of today or tomorrow; that really energizes me all the time.

I am inspired by hearing from the young leaders this morning I have met here. Thank you for sharing your ideas.

Everywhere I go, any place I meet young leaders around the world, I am asking young leaders to speak out. Raise your voice. Raise your voice.

It is a great pleasure to participate in this very important meeting, for the first time in Asia, to be convened by the United Nations.

I am deeply grateful to Honourable Governor Kim Kwan-yong and the people of Gyeongju city for hosting us in their beautiful city. Thank you for your warm hospitality and strong support.

The annual DPI-NGO Conference shows how much the United Nations values the contributions of non-governmental organizations.

It is also an opportunity for us to push for real change in our world.

Thank you very much for the chance to be part of this dynamic Rotary International Convention.

I am inspired to be with so many great supporters of the United Nations.

I only wish I had the chance to visit the House of Friendship!

What a wonderful tradition – to create a place for informal dialogue among friends.

Today I want to speak to you about the invaluable partnership between Rotary International and the United Nations.

Our common activities are saving lives. And they are based on a spirit of trust.

Thank you for your leadership on developing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and for implementing intensively in relation to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as soon as the Agenda came into force at the start of this year.

Today I request you to remain focused on five shared priorities.

First: Climate Change.

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies,

Thank you Mr. Prime Minister [Abe] for inviting the United Nations and for your leadership in promoting your prosperity and stability in Asia.

G7 support to durable and resilient 21st-century infrastructure is a vital contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals in general.

There are urgent decisions to be made about the design and construction of cities, energy facilities, schools, hospitals and transport systems.

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.

Your Highness Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar,
Your Excellency Ms. Ameenah Gurib, President of Mauritius,
Your Excellency Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger,
Your Excellency Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the United Nations General Assembly,
Honourable guests,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank the State of Qatar for generously hosting the Doha Forum.

We gather at a time of fragility and vulnerability.

It is a pleasure to join you today. Thank you for this great honour. I know that, through me, you are also recognizing the United Nations and its diverse and dedicated staff. We are grateful for this expression of support for our ideals and for our work.

I have one question, though. I understand that one of Marymount’s theatre arts graduates has appeared in one of Broadway’s current smash hits.

Does that mean this honorary degree comes with two tickets to “Hamilton”?!

Thank you for welcoming me into the Marymount community.

I am honoured to address the Korea Society in my final year as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

I am a proud past recipient of the Society’s Van Fleet Award, which I received in 2004, when I was the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I congratulate tonight’s winner, the Honorable Kwon Ohjoon, the Chairman of Posco, one of Korea’s leading manufacturing companies.

I have had the privilege of addressing the Korea Society on many occasions through the years.