The following is Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day for Biological Diversity, to be observed on 22 May:

Cautioning against increasing attempts to suppress Internet access, stifle Web-based journalism and censor news reporters, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged Governments to uphold freedom of opinion and expression for all journalists, bloggers and media professionals, “as a matter of principle, and because a free press is essential for building a better world”.

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the observance of World Press Freedom Day, in New York, 7 May:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Families, observed 15 May:

30 March 2009

Press ReleaseOBV/778 PI/1875

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

STUDENTS CONNECTED VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE 25 MARCH AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS

TO MARK DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF VICTIMS OF SLAVERY AND TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

25 March 2009

Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/12151 OBV/776 ORG/1510

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES MEMBER STATES TO BUTTRESS ARCHITECTURE OF PROTECTION,

ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH DETAINED AND MISSING STAFF MEMBERS

25 March 2009

Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/12152 OBV/777

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS HE WILL ‘BREAK THE SILENCE, BEAT THE DRUM’ TO COMMEMORATE

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR VICTIMS OF SLAVERY, TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

24 March 2009

Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/12149 OBV/775

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MINE AWARENESS DAY MESSAGE, SAYS UPCOMING REVIEW OFFERS

OPPORTUNITY FOR RENEWED COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL ACTION

 

24 March 2009

Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/12148 OBV/774

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

promotion of positive perspectives can lead to full, meaningful lives,

 

says Secretary-General in message for world autism awareness day

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed on 2 April:

23 March 2009

Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/12145 OBV/773

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE FOR WORLD HEALTH DAY, SPELLS OUT STEPS

 

TO ENSURE SYSTEMS STAND UP WHEN EMERGENCIES STRIKE

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on World Health Day, to be observed on 7 April: