From the Balkans to Africa, from Asia to the Middle East, we have witnessed the weakening or absence of effective governance leading to the ravaging of human rights and the abandonment of longstanding humanitarian principles. We need competent and responsible states to meet the needs of "we the peoples" for whom the UN was created. And the world's peoples will not be fully served unless peace, development and human rights, the three pillars of the UN, are advanced together with equal vigour.
Ban Ki-moonI am willing to take any measures when it comes to the fundamental principle of human rights.
Ban Ki-moonAchieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyones responsibility.
Ban Ki-moon