The first in a series of preparatory sessions leading to a follow-up in 2012 to the historic Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit of 1992 concluded today, following three days in which delegations strove to rekindle the spirit of Rio and shore up the foundation on which sustainable development had gained traction around the world.

The following statement was issued yesterday, 19 May, by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

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

Approaching full deployment, and with the peace process progressing slowly, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) was now focused on carrying out its protection mandate despite the challenges, Ibrahim Gambari, Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative, told the Security Council today.

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

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s remarks to the General Assembly during its thematic debate on human security, today, 20 May, in New York:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for Africa Day, observed on 25 May:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, observed on 29 May:

In a message to open the Pacific Regional Seminar on the Implementation of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all involved to undertake “fresh and creative efforts” towards full implementation of decolonization.

The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization continued its deliberations today at its Pacific Seminar on the Implementation of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, discussing challenges in the Pacific, Caribbean and elsewhere, as well as the broader role of the United Nations in the decolonization process.