The incoming Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission today pledged to strengthen that body’s role within the United Nations in order to resolve disputes and restore peace and hope to nations emerging from conflict.

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

On 27 January 2011, the United Nations Department of Public Information will honour women at the sixth annual observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust in a ceremony, to be held in the General Assembly Hall from 10 a.m. to noon.

While early indications of a week’s worth of balloting pointed to an overwhelming vote in favour of Southern Sudan’s secession, senior United Nations officials expressed deep concern in the Security Council today over renewed violence in North and South Darfur, and issued a stern warning that violence remained an “ever present threat” in the disputed, oil-rich border area of Abyei, absent a permanent settlement of its status.

The loss and degradation of the world’s forests continued at a high rate owing to neglect of the social and cultural factors of forestry, Lambert Okrah, focal point for non-governmental organizations, said today as the United Nations Forum on Forests held the multi-stakeholder dialogue segment of its ninth session.

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

Following is Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, observed 27 January:

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s opening remarks to the World Economic Forum plenary session on combating chronic disease, in Davos, Switzerland, on 27 January:

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the World Economic Forum session on redefining sustainable development, in Davos, Switzerland, today, 28 January:

Following is the text of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the launch of the Global Compact LEAD Initiative, today, 28 January, in Davos, Switzerland: