Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, as delivered by Yury Fedotov, Director General of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to the second Ministerial Anti-Drug Conference on the Influence of Drugs on Global Security and Sustainable Development, in Moscow today:

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the Security Council at the open debate on the Role of Youth in Countering Violent Extremism and Promoting Peace, in New York today:

While terrorist groups were increasingly recruiting young, disenfranchised people into their ranks, there was broad agreement among the more than 60 speakers in the Security Council today that youth must instead be at the heart of efforts to counter violent extremism and promote peace.

A more efficient, transparent, inclusive and harmonized international system on tax matters was a critical part of financing for development and the post-2015 agenda, the Economic and Social Council heard today during a day-long high-level meeting, where a sharp divergence of opinion emerged on the best institutional way forward.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on faith leaders from around the world to use their wisdom and leadership to counter the forces of radicalization and intolerance and to stand up to promote dialogue and mutual understanding.

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the panel discussion “highlighting a counter-narrative: promoting tolerance for diversity, freedom of speech and human rights”, in New York today:

Côte d’Ivoire had made progress in security-related areas though concerns remained over ex-combatants, impunity and other challenges, the Chair of the sanctions committee regarding the country told the Security Council this afternoon, adding that he looked forward to continued dialogue with authorities on the issues.

Now 15 years old, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was in “real need” of reform to better respond to the socioeconomic, cultural and human rights concerns of its constituents — both within their respective territories and throughout the United Nations system, speakers stressed today as the 16-member body moved into day three of its fourteenth session.

The new Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Amrith Rohan Perera, presented his credentials to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today.

The new Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, Lourdes Ortiz Yparraguirre, presented her credentials to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today.