The two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was at risk of being replaced by a one-State reality of perpetual violence and occupation, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council today, encouraging both sides to take the difficult steps needed to change that destructive trajectory.

The United Nations will celebrate the International Day of Peace on 16 September 2016.  The theme of this year’s observance is “The Sustainable Development Goals:  Building Blocks for Peace”.  In a video message released ahead of the Day, the Secretary-General said, “Peace is not just about putting weapons aside.  It is about building societies where people share the benefits of prosperity on a healthy planet.” Stressing that sustainable development was essential for lasting peace, he urged people everywhere to champion the Goals.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Inclusion Summit of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 15 to 16 September:

In a continuing effort to encourage wider participation in the Multilateral Treaty Framework, the United Nations is hosting the annual Treaty Event at its Headquarters from 19 to 23 September.  During the event, Member States are invited to sign multilateral treaties deposited with the United Nations Secretary-General or become party to them by depositing instruments of ratification or accession.

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, in New York today:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, observed on 16 September:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, to the Conference “Europe Whole, Free and at Peace-2040” and on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in the United Nations, in Vilnius today:

Following is a transcript of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s press conference, held in New York today:

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the “Back to the Present” launch of a time machine installation on data for children, in New York, today:

On 14 September 2016, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) enacted the amendments specified with underline and strikethrough in the entries below on its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 2 of Security Council resolution 2253 (2015) adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.