Press releases

Statement on South Sudan

10 Jul 2016 | UN Headquarters, New York

am shocked and appalled by the heavy fighting that is currently taking place in Juba. I strongly urge President Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar to do everything within their power to de-escalate the hostilities immediately and to order their respective forces to disengage and withdraw to their bases. This senseless violence is unacceptable and has the potential of reversing the progress made so far in the peace process.

Statement by the Secretary-General on South Sudan

8 Jul 2016 | UN Headquarters, New York

I am deeply alarmed by the ongoing fighting in Juba between soldiers of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA in Opposition. This outbreak of hostilities in the capital, on the eve of the country's fifth anniversary of independence, is yet another illustration of the parties’ lack of serious commitment to the peace process and represents a new betrayal of the people of South Sudan, who have suffered from unfathomable atrocities since December 2013.

Remarks by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Ceremony

19 May 2016 | UN Headquarters, New York

Today we join together in this solemn ceremony to honour the memory of the 129 men and woman who lost their lives last year while serving under the United Nations flag. These brave personnel came from 50 countries. They were international and national. They were military and police. They were civilians and UN Volunteers. They served in different jobs – but they held fast to the same universal values. Some were killed in malicious attacks. Others died in accidents. Still others fell to disease. They were all heroes and heroines who we will never forget.

Remarks by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal Ceremony

19 May 2016 | UN Headquarters, New York

We are here on a historic occasion: the inaugural Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal ceremony. I am pleased to see so many representatives of Member States and UN staff, including the Force Commanders of all of our peacekeeping operations. Thank you for your participation and commitment. During nearly 70 years of UN peacekeeping, more than one million men and women have deployed under our blue flag. The overwhelming majority served with great distinction and honour.

Remarks at the Wreath-laying Ceremony Honouring Fallen Peacekeepers United Nations Headquarters

19 May 2016 | UN Headquarters, New York

Today, we gather at this memorial site to lay a wreath to honour the brave men and women who died while serving under the United Nations Flag. Last year, 129 peacekeepers from 50 countries lost their lives due to malicious acts, accidents and disease. It was the 12th time in the last 13 years that more than 100 Blue Helmets fell in one year. The tragic total since 1948 is nearly 3,500. Please join me in a moment of silence in tribute to their bravery. Thank you.

Remarks by the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Atul Khare at the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards Ceremony on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers

19 May 2016

Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare Remarks at Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards Ceremony on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers New York, 19 May 2016 Excellencies, Colleagues, Friends, It is a very great privilege for me to be here today to honour our peacekeepers – uniformed and civilian – who paid the ultimate price while serving under the blue flag. I humbly accept this medal on behalf of our civilian peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives in the service of peace.

Remarks by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous at the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards Ceremony on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers

19 May 2016

Under-Secretary-General Hervé Ladsous Remarks at Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards Ceremony on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers New York, 19 May 2016 Excellencies, Colleagues, Friends, Thank you all for being present here today, as we honour our fallen brothers and sisters and pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice with the Dag Hammarskjöld medal recognising those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace.

Briefing on the latest developments, as well as efforts and plans of the Secretariat on sexual exploitation and abuse involving international forces

13 May 2016

Mr. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary General for Field Support, and Ms. Jane Holl Lute, Special Coordinator on improving the United Nations response to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Statement by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous to the Security Council: Calling for Drawdown of United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire, Peacekeeping Chief Describes Country as ‘Well on the Right Track’

12 Apr 2016

Permanent Representative Stresses Need for Continuing Vigilance as Sanctions Committee Chair Presents Final Report by Expert Panel Stressing that Côte d’Ivoire was well on the path to peace, stability and economic growth, the head of United Nations peacekeeping today called upon the Security Council to phase out the Organization’s peacekeeping operation in the West African country.

Remarks at the “United Nations Peace Operations Review: Taking stock, leveraging opportunities and charting the way forward" [as delivered]

11 Apr 2016 | UN Headquarters, New York

It is a pleasure to be with you. I want to thank the Republic of Korea, Norway, Ethiopia and IPI for organizing today’s discussions. I thank all of you for coming together to focus on how to ensure that the United Nations is well placed to address the peace and security challenges of today and tomorrow. There is a collective sense that our toolbox has not kept pace with the emerging and increasingly complex challenges we face in peace and security.

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