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April 17, 2015
Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Delivers an After-Dinner Address to a Full House at the National Press Club in Washington
Photo: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. 16 April 2015. Washington, D.C., United States. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.
Photo: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. 16 April 2015. Washington, D.C., United States. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.
Photo: Washington, D.C. Photo Credit: Andrew Baskett.
Washington, D.C., April 16, 2015 — During a speech delivered at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. this evening, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke on the challenges faced by the world community today.
Ban is the sixth U.N. secretary general to speak at the National Press Club.
In his remarks, he devoted the most attention to climate change, noting that it involves “a strong moral dimension.” Ban said he has invited the Pope, President Obama and other world leaders to the U.N. Sustainable Development Summit that would be held in New York in September 2015.
Mr. Ban noted that UN Member States are working very hard to shape a post-2015 development agenda. Beyond a focus on shared prosperity and harmony with the planet, the new agenda will also emphasize the crucial role of justice, institutions and fundamental freedoms. And for the first time, the goals will apply to all countries; even the richest are witnessing rising inequality, and no country has ended violence and discrimination against women.
“Next week in New York, I along with the President of the General Assembly are going to convene a high-level thematic debate on reconciliation and tolerance, how we can address violent extremism by levelling up, enhancing mutual respect and reconciliation. All these are very important issues and without addressing these issues, we will not be able to have sustainable peace and sustainable development of our society. I have invited many world-renowned religious leaders. I believe that there are very important roles to be played by religious leaders and educators, to teach their followers, their students what are the correct mutual respect, understanding and reconciliation and harmonious living together.”
“This is a time of test but far more one of tremendous opportunity. As the distinctions between the national and the international continue to fall away, we can and must come together to chart a course towards a safer and more sustainable future for all of us,” the UN chief declared.
His remarks drew applause from the full house comprising Press Club members and their guests attending the dinner in the club’s ballroom. The dinner and the remarks were followed by a question-and-answer session.
(The Editor of GlobalGiants.Com is a Member of The National Press Club, Washington, D.C.)
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