Ban arrived in Seoul on August 9, after visiting Japan’s tsunami-devastated northeast, and attended a number of UN-related activities and meetings, including with President Lee Myung-bak and the speaker of the National Assembly, Park Hee-tae.
On August 10, the U.N. chief met with President Lee to discuss ways to reinforce Korea-UN cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including the Millennium Development Goals and climate change, while also exchanging views on current affairs in Northeast Asia and the Middle East.
| President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok host dinner for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his wife on August 10 (Photos courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae) |
The Korean president congratulated the Secretary-General on his reelection and praised his leadership and efforts to resolve international crises, including climate change and the situation in Sudan. Ban congratulated Korea on successfully hosting the G20 Seoul Summit and being chosen to host the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, noting that Korea was enjoying an elevation in international status under President Lee’s leadership.
Ban expressed gratitude to the Korean government for its support of United Nations field missions, drought aid for East Africa, and said he hoped Korea will expand its contributions based on its past experience of economic development and democratization.
Prior to his meeting with President Lee, the U.N. chief participated in a morning conference hosted by UN Global Compact Korea, a voluntary initiative and framework for businesses committed to promote sustainable development and good corporate citizenship, with nearly 200 Korean business leaders and gave a speech emphasizing corporate social responsibility.
During his address, Ban said that the world is currently facing multiple crises, including poverty, climate change, food security and water shortages. He added that he regards solidarity among governments, corporate and civic societies and individuals as more essential than ever.
| During the 2011 UN Academic Impact Forum, Ban called for “intellectual social responsibility” in his opening remarks (Photos courtesy of the Korean Council for University Education) |
Following the UN Global Compact meeting, Ban attended the opening ceremony of the UN Academic Impact Forum, organized by the Korean Council for University Education under the auspices of the Education and Foreign Affairs Ministries. The initiative grew out of implementation strategies for the Millennium Development Goals, which aim to eradicate poverty and illiteracy while emphasizing human rights and sustainable development. In his opening remarks for the three-day forum, held for the first time in Asia, Ban urged intellectuals to engage in global matters and harness “intellectual social responsibility” for the common good.
On August 11, the UN chief paid a visit to Incheon to attend the 2011 Global Model UN Conference, where students from 61 nations gathered to discuss environmental and energy concerns under the slogan, “Sustainable Development: Advancing Human Progress in Harmony with Nature.” During his keynote speech at the UN-sponsored youth forum, Ban said, “Help shape our world for the better, help us meet the collective tests of our times and help the United Nations deliver what the world needs at this crucial moment.” He also urged the audience to never underestimate the power of the individual to change the world.
| Ban addresses students from around the world at the 2011 Global Model UN Conference in Incheon on August 11. (Photo: Yonhap News) |
Ban’s schedule also included a focus group meeting for the Millennium Development Goals hosted by the speaker of the National Assembly, Park Hee-tae, and a breakfast meeting with corporate leaders, organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. On August 12, Ban visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which he headed before his election as UN Secretary General.
Despite his intense schedule, the UN chief took the time to meet with a group of Korean youth in Incheon and his hometown of Chungju. He urged the students to dream and aim high while still facing the needs of reality, and cultivate vision, passion, creativity and a critical mindset.
Ban is set to visit Korea again in late November to attend the fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan and the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in March next year.
By Hwang Dana
Korea.net Staff Writer
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