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Ban Ki-moon

Ban Ki-moon

Ban Ki-moon was the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 2007 to December 2016. Born in South Korea in 1944, Ban has served both as president’s foreign policy and national security adviser. His major initiatives at the UN include chairing the 2007 Climate Change Summit; advocating for women’s rights and gender equality; setting up a disarmament agenda to maintain nuclear safety security; and seeking new measures to ensure United Nations’ operations are more transparent.

Born

13 Jun 1944

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

last updated:

7 October, 2024

Elderly people rest in the park in Hong Kong’s Cheung Sha Wan district in August last year. Hong Kong could develop its health industry and help address common concerns such as population ageing. Photo: Jelly Tse

Opinion | How Hong Kong can help overturn narrative of China turning inwards

With its world-class biotech research and unique East-meets-West culture, Hong Kong could facilitate cooperation between China and the rest of the world.

4 Aug 2024 - 4:27PMvideocam

‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closest ever to midnight

26 Jan 2023 - 5:06AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Cholera kills at least 7 in Haiti as disease returns

3 Oct 2022 - 8:15AM

US-China relations

Opinion | Who can save the United Nations? Not the US, but China

The US cannot save the world by itself, as much as it wants to. America must accept that China, while so different and deeply competitive, must pitch in. On China’s part, with a population on the decline, it must seize the hour if it means to prove it is exceptional.

27 Jul 2021 - 4:05AMvideocam

Illustration: Craig Stephens

World Economic Forum

Profile | Why NGO head got Richard Branson, Ban Ki-moon to live like refugees

David Begbie, director of Hong Kong-based non-profit Crossroads Foundation, talks about running refugee simulations at the World Economic Forum in Davos and having an epiphany in Macedonia.

30 May 2021 - 5:15PM

Opinion | China, Japan and South Korea must work together to end coal use

All three major powers can boost their economies, and those throughout Asia and beyond, by accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels. We have a chance in the economic recovery from Covid-19 to create a healthy, resilient and net zero-emissions future for the world.

14 Apr 2021 - 9:15AMvideocam

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Letters | 70 years since Seoul victory, UN remains as relevant as ever

25 Sep 2020 - 7:00PMvideocam

South Korean war veterans commemorate the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean war, at the War Memorial in Seoul on June 26. September 25 marks 70 years since UN forces recaptured Seoul. Photo: AFP

China taps into global expertise in climate change battle against increasing floods and drought

While much work has been done on mitigation, focus turns to adapting to changing circumstances of global warming.

9 Jul 2019 - 6:30AM

North Korea nuclear crisis

Exclusive | China should cut oil exports to North Korea by half: Ban Ki-moon

13 Dec 2017 - 11:25PMvideocam

South Korea names new defence minister after North tests missile

11 Jun 2017 - 9:44PM

North Korea test-launched a new type of its cruise anti-ship missiles on Thursday, Photo: AP

Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon won’t run for South Korea presidency

1 Feb 2017 - 10:33PM

Former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon bows as he announces an end to his attempt to seek South Korea's presidency. Photo: AFP

Scandal hurts ex-UN chief Ban’s presidential ambitions in South Korea

24 Jan 2017 - 10:41PM

US asks South Korea to arrest brother of ex-UN chief Ban Ki-moon

21 Jan 2017 - 10:35PM

Ban Ki-moon returns to South Korea after hinting at presidency run

12 Jan 2017 - 10:20PM

Former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon waves as he arrives at the Incheon International Airport. Photo: AFP

The indictment casting a pall over Ban Ki-moon’s homecoming

11 Jan 2017 - 4:32PM

Ban Ki-moon consistently polls as a top candidate as South Korea braces for the possibility of an early election. Photo: Reuters

The United Nations needs the strong leadership that Guterres can bring

4 Jan 2017 - 2:11AM

UN chief Ban Ki-moon leaves with mixed record after 10-year term

31 Dec 2016 - 7:45PM

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Ban Ki-moon appears in Korean cult affiliate’s PR video

30 Dec 2016 - 12:55PMvideocam

Kim Nam-hee, left, the head of International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) and Ban Ki-moon, the U.N. Secretary-General from the video. Photo: Screen capture from Youtube

UN chief addresses speculation he’ll run for president of South Korea

17 Dec 2016 - 10:49PM

UN chief Ban Ki-moon calls on world leaders to act now on global warming

The largest gathering of world leaders on climate change opened at the United Nations, facing calls for action to put the planet on course towards reversing global warming.

24 Sep 2014 - 7:33AM

World in an 'era of crises': Ban Ki-moon downbeat ahead of UN summit

The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, summed up the mood of foreboding hanging over the UN headquarters as it prepares to welcome more than 140 heads of state for the annual UN General Assembly this week.

23 Sep 2014 - 2:36AM

DiCaprio is designated a "messenger for peace" by Ban. Photo: AFP

World 'must welcome disabled', says UN chief Ban Ki-moon

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened a historic UN meeting of world leaders "to break barriers and open doors" for the more than one billion disabled people around the world.

24 Sep 2013 - 10:30PM

UN chiefs Ban Ki-moon and John Ashe call for a greater focus on the disabled. Photo: AP

President Xi hints at more assertive foreign policy

20 Jun 2018 - 5:59PM

Mali militants still a threat to West Africa, says UN chief

AUN force is to take over security duties from French forces who entered Mali in January to halt an Islamist advance and help the government re-establish its authority over the vast country.

9 Jun 2013 - 4:33PM

Russia plays down uproar over Syria arms sales

Russia’s foreign minister said on Friday he did not understand the international uproar created by Moscow’s continuing weapons co-operation with regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

18 May 2013 - 4:26AMvideocam

ecretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet ain Blach Sea resourt of Sochi. Photo: AFP

UN's Ban Ki-moon urges North Korea to consider South’s dialogue offer

29 Aug 2013 - 4:13AM

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon vowed to advance “meaningful dialogue” between the two Koreas. Photo: Xinhua

South Korea raises alert level as North readies missile test

South Korea raised its military watch alert to “vital threat” on Wednesday ahead of an expected North Korean missile launch, as UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned the Korean Peninsula may be slipping out of control.

29 Aug 2013 - 4:13AMvideocam

North Korea crisis ‘has already gone too far’, says UN’s Ban Ki-moon

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that tensions had already soared too high on the Korean Peninsula and warned Pyongyang against making nuclear threats.

3 Apr 2013 - 8:41AMvideocam

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