UN Secretary-General urges political, financial support for UN priorities

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, calling for action to address underlying threats in world trouble zones, promote development, and protect the planet. “I will urge world leaders to rise above national interests for our collective future,” Ban told representatives of the 193 U.N. members. “We are capable of this spirit of global citizenship.” Ban emphasized that while he is determined to make the U.N. Secretariat “truly global, modern, and effective,” member countries also must do their part to “empower the United Nations itself.” “This global organization should not have to plead with governments for troops, police, assets, or resources while the victims of war and poverty suffer and die,” the secretary-general said. “Humanitarian aid can feed a hungry child, which is important enough. But it can also indirectly stop a bomb by reducing social tensions,” the U.N. chief said.