Ban says UN failed Syria, Aleppo now "synonym for hell"December 17, 2016 - 11:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In his last press conference as United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon delivered stark warnings at the forefront of international concern that “the carnage in Syria remains a gaping hole in the global conscience,” The Indian Express says. “Aleppo is now a synonym for hell,” Ban said at UN Headquarters in New York, bidding farewell to the UN press corps. “We have collectively failed the people of Syria. Peace will only prevail when it is accompanied by compassion, justice and accountability for the abominable crimes we have seen,” he added. On another front, he noted that this week will mark the third year of conflict in South Sudan, and he deplored that “the country’s leaders have betrayed their people’s trust, and squandered a peace agreement.” “Most immediately, my Special Adviser [on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng] has warned of the risk of genocide,” he said, urging the UN Security Council to take more concerted action, including through punitive measures. Ban will complete his 10-year service as the world’s top diplomat on 31 December, passing the baton to his successor António Guterres, who was sworn in this past Monday. “This has been a decade of unceasing test,” he said. “But I have also seen collective action change millions of lives for the better.” He also expressed continued support for the global momentum behind the Paris Agreement on climate change. “Climate action means jobs, growth, cleaner air and better health. Leaders from across the globe and on every front understand this – from Fortune 500 CEOs [Chief Executive Officers] to Governors and Mayors,” he said. “The Paris Agreement on climate change is a precious achievement that we must support and nurture. There is no turning back.” “Difficult as it may sometimes be, international cooperation remains the path to a more peaceful and prosperous world,” he said, pledging to continue to spare no effort to urge world leaders, long-standing or newly-minted, to recognize and embrace that preeminent 21st-century fact. Ban stressed that journalists have an important job to do – informing the world about the work of UN – when it makes progress and when it falls short. “I deeply believe in your mission,” he said, underlining his efforts to be the defender of their safety and press freedom. South Sudan has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between President Salva Kiir and his Vice-President Riek Machar erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the world’s worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians. As the Syria crisis enters its sixth year, civilians continue to bear the brunt of a conflict marked by unparalleled suffering, destruction and disregard for human life. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 13.5 million people require humanitarian assistance, including 4.9 million people in need trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, where they are exposed to grave protection threats. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | About 173 million drams and more than 30 beneficiary funds. "The Power of One Dram" is 4 years old In June 2020, the exclusive joint corporate social responsibility initiative of Idram and IDBank "The Power of One Dram" was launched. CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. |