Secretary-General Welcomes Renewed United States Commitment to Engagement with United Nations
SG/SM/12413
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
In progress at UNHQ
South African Disability Rights Leader Named United Nations Special Rapporteur of Commission for Social Development
BIO/4105-SOC/4756
Shuaib Chalklen of South Africa has been appointed the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development for the period 2009-2011.
Secretary-General Appoints Maria Dotsenko of Ukraine as Public Information Department Representative in United Nations Armenia Office
SG/A/1195-BIO/4106
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Dotsenko, a national of Ukraine, as Representative of the Department of Public Information in the United Nations Office in Yerevan, Armenia.
United Nations Conferences and Observances
Reference Paper No. 48
During its sixty-third session, the General Assembly declared 19 August each year as World Humanitarian Day, to increase public awareness about humanitarian assistance activities worldwide and to honour all United Nations and other humanitarian workers, including those who have lost their lives in the cause of duty.
Secretary-General Says Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Release of Detained Foreign Worker 'Positive' Step
SG/SM/12414
The following statement was issued on 13 August by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
Launch of First World Humanitarian Day to Be Held at United Nations Headquarters on 19 August
Note No. 6213
An exhibition of posters and photographs capturing images of humanitarian workers in action will be the background for the launch of the first World Humanitarian Day on Wednesday, 19 August at 10:30 a.m. in the Visitors Lobby, where Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Catherine Bragg will make statements.
First World Humanitarian Day to Raise Public Awareness, Honour Humanitarian Staff, Those Who Gave Their Lives in Cause of Duty, 19 August at UN Headquarters
IHA/1275-OBV/802
The first World Humanitarian Day will be observed on Wednesday, 19 August, at United Nations Headquarters with a wreath-laying ceremony remembering the victims of the 2003 attack on the United Nations in Baghdad, followed by the opening of an exhibition of posters and photographs capturing the images of humanitarian workers in action.
Secretary-General Condemns Fatal Suicide Car Bomb Attack in Afghanistan
SG/SM/12415-AFG/331
The following statement was issued 15 August by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
Secretary-General Appoints Judy Cheng-Hopkins of Malaysia as Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support
SG/A/1196-BIO/4107-PBC/57
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Judy Cheng-Hopkins of Malaysia as Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support. Ms. Cheng-Hopkins will replace Jane Holl Lute.
'We Can Catch Two Birds -- Climate Change and Economic Growth -- with One Stone'; Prosperity Will Come to Those Who Take Low-Carbon Path, Says Secretary-General
SG/SM/12416-ENV/DEV/1064
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s address, as prepared for delivery, to the University Presidents’ Forum on Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Asia and Africa, at Korea University in Seoul, on 17 August: