This is not a time for tinkering; it is a time for transformation. Ban Ki-moon More Quotes by Ban Ki-moon More Quotes From Ban Ki-moon I defy anyone to look into the eyes of these courageous and resilient individuals and say you know better what nuclear weapons bring. Ban Ki-moon world Despite the demands of the Security Council to end the conflict, events and attacks that should shock our collective conscience and spur us into action have become a daily occurrence, often without comment or attention being paid to them. Ban Ki-moon world But the window of opportunity is fast narrowing. Ban Ki-moon environment We must act now. Ban Ki-moon environment By strengthening the three pillars of the United Nations - security, development and human rights - we can build a more peaceful, more prosperous and more just world for our succeeding generations. Ban Ki-moon united-nationssecuritythreeworld We are using resources as if we had two planets, not one. There can be no 'plan B' because there is no 'planet B.' Ban Ki-moon planbecauseenvironmentaltwo Freedom is a timeless value. The United Nations Charter calls for encouraging respect for fundamental freedoms. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights mentions freedom more than twenty times. All countries have committed to protecting individual freedoms on paper - but in practice, too many break their pledge. Ban Ki-moon valuerespectfreedompractice Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and women everywhere, we have learned - it is only through seriousness of purpose and persistence that we ultimately carry the day. We might liken it to riding a bicycle. You stay upright and move forward so long as you keep up the momentum. Ban Ki-moon daywomenmenhistory Defeating racism, tribalism, intolerance and all forms of discrimination will liberate us all, victim and perpetrator alike. Ban Ki-moon uswilldiscriminationracism I am disturbed by how states abuse laws on Internet access. I am concerned that surveillance programmes are becoming too aggressive. I understand that national security and criminal activity may justify some exceptional and narrowly-tailored use of surveillance. But that is all the more reason to safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms. Ban Ki-moon i-amunderstandsecurityinternet Climate change, in some regions, has aggravated conflict over scarce land, and could well trigger large-scale migration in the decades ahead. And rising sea levels put at risk the very survival of all small island states. These and other implications for peace and security have implications for the United Nations itself. Ban Ki-moon climate-changechangeseapeace Countries with higher levels of gender equality have higher economic growth. Companies with more women on their boards have higher returns. Peace agreements that include women are more successful. Parliaments with more women take up a wider range of issues - including health, education, anti-discrimination, and child support. Ban Ki-moon womenhealtheducationpeace We must eliminate all nuclear weapons in order to eliminate the grave risk they pose to our world. This will require persistent efforts by all countries and peoples. A nuclear war would affect everyone, and all have a stake in preventing this nightmare. Ban Ki-moon posewillwarworld Nuclear power plants must be prepared to withstand everything from earthquakes to tsunamis, from fires to floods to acts of terrorism. Ban Ki-moon plantseverythingterrorismpower Personally, I do not know whether humankind is alone in this vast universe. But I do know that we should cherish our existence on this precious speck of matter... the greatest gift that could be bestowed upon us. For all practical purposes, there is only one planet Earth. Ban Ki-moon giftaloneuniversematter We have a legal and moral obligation to rid our world of nuclear tests and nuclear weapons. Ban Ki-moon legalnuclear-weaponsmoralworld Although more than 500 million maritime containers move around the world each year, accounting for 90 per cent of international trade, only 2 per cent are inspected. Strengthening customs and immigration systems is essential. Ban Ki-moon yearaccountingimmigrationworld Education promotes equality and lifts people out of poverty. It teaches children how to become good citizens. Education is not just for a privileged few, it is for everyone. It is a fundamental human right. Ban Ki-moon goodeducationchildrenpeople This Earth is our only home. Together, we must protect and cherish it. Ban Ki-moon cherishearthtogetherhome True security is based on people's welfare - on a thriving economy, on strong public health and education programmes, and on fundamental respect for our common humanity. Development, peace, disarmament, reconciliation and justice are not separate from security; they help to underpin it. Ban Ki-moon respecthealtheducationpeace
