On UN Day, Ban underlines need for unity to confront global challenges

On October 24th, 2011, the UN celebrated its anniversary since its foundation 66 years ago. The General-Secretary, Ban-Ki Moon stressed the need for unity to face the challenges of the new era, from the economic crisis to the climate change. “Global problems demand global solutions,” Mr. Ban said in a message to the United Nations.
“They compel all nations to unite in action on an agenda for the world’s people. That is the very mission of the United Nations,” he added. This year is particularly dramatic as the role of UN was very important to enhance global peace and social justice, to support poorest and most vulnerable people. Concerning this purpose, the General Secretary affirmed: “In our increasingly interconnected world, we all have something to give and something to gain by working together. Let us unite in the name of the global common good.” Mr. Ban spoke, also, to the New Explorations into Science, Mathematics and Technology School (NEST) Students in New York, stressing the importance to find a common solution to the problems, especially for people living in the poorest region of the world. “The one billion people who go to bed hungry. Those who die of hunger, of disease, often because they lack something as basic and simple as clean water. Many of them do not even live to be five years old. At the UN, these are the people we are working for every day,” he expressed. Ban- Ki Moon highlighted the importance of the various activities of the UN offices and missions around the world, including missions in Darfur, Iraq, Lebanon and many others. Mr. Ban concluded his speech, explaining that UN Day represents an occasion to pay a tribute not only to the organization itself, but also to the people who were its heart and spent their life to service it.