The Secretary-General told the Security Council’s open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict this morning that intentional, direct attacks on hospitals are war crimes and inexcusable.  No government should stand by and all must take concrete action to uphold norms to safeguard humanity.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, from Austria on 29 April.

Strongly condemning attacks on medical personnel in conflict situations today, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution demanding an end to impunity for those responsible and respect for international law on the part of all warring parties.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has started the process of consultation with the Conference of Parties through its Bureau, and has informed of his intention to appoint Patricia Espinosa Cantellano of Mexico as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, following consultations with the Chairpersons of the regional groups of Member States, has informed the General Assembly of his intention to appoint Erik Solheim of Norway as the new Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the Security Council meeting on health care in armed conflict, in New York today:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, as delivered by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, to the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, in Dakar today:

The Security Council would hold two open debates this month, the first on the issue of counter-terrorism and the other concerning cooperation on peace and security matters between the United Nations and the African Union, Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta (Egypt), the 15-member organ’s President for May, said at a Headquarters press conference.

Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the national level would require Governments to adapt institutions, policies and relationships with companies and civil society to better serve their diverse populations, the Economic and Social Council heard today, as it moved into day two of its integration segment.