February 26, 2026 08:54 pm (IST)
Follow us:
In Auckland lecture, Ban lauds New Zealand's 'ingenuity and hard work' for the UN
New York, Sept 4 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday hailed the vital contributions of New Zealand to the work of the United Nations, from peacekeeping and disarmament to gender equality and human rights, as he addressed students and faculty at the University of Auckland.
It was the second visit for the Secretary-General to the University, which bestowed on him on Wednesday an honorary doctorate in recognition of the valuable work being carried out by the Organization.
In his lecture, Ban hailed New Zealand’s “ingenuity and hard work” for the UN, including the contribution of military and civilian personnel to its peacekeeping operations.
“This country has been a long and staunch champion of nuclear and conventional disarmament,” he went on to say, adding his hope that with New Zealand’s ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty, it will come into effect by the end of this year.
He also voiced appreciation for New Zealand’s contributions over the years to promoting security in Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands and Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.
New Zealand is also a pioneer on gender equality as the first country in the world where women received the right to vote, the Secretary-General noted, saying he admired this “far-sighted vision.”
The country, he continued, is a party to most of the core international human rights treaties, and its aid programme and assistance have been pivotal to helping countries in the Pacific region to develop.
On a personal note, the Secretary-General recalled a programme organized by the American Red Cross Society that he participated in while in high school that sponsored him to travel across the United States with other young people from more than three dozen countries.
“During that programme, Jocelyn Jones and Shirley Keen were representing New Zealand. We have met several times over the years, including three years ago when I was in Auckland. And I am happy that they are here with me on Wednesday ,” said Ban.
Also on Wednesday , Ban met with Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand, and voiced his appreciation the country’s contribution to UN peacekeeping and significant support to the Third UN Conference on Small Islands Developing States.
They also discussed New Zealand’s important role in the upcoming World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, to take place on the margins of the 69th General Assembly later this month, and exchanged views on developments in Ukraine, Iraq, the Middle East and South Sudan – subjects that the Secretary-General also discussed with Prime Minister John Key on Tuesday.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Violent clashes erupt in Dutch village as protests against planned asylum centre turn chaotic
Thu, Feb 26 2026
Iran ready for war or peace ahead of Geneva nuclear talks, says Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Wed, Feb 25 2026
WHO: Attacks on Ukraine’s health care surged 20 percent in 2025
Wed, Feb 25 2026
After 16 years, London eatery closes as Indian-origin owner alleges repeated attacks by Pakistanis
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Viral Irish food bank image triggers racist remarks against Indians
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Netherlands’ first openly gay PM Rob Jetten takes oath. Meet his partner Nicolás Keenan
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Who was El Mencho? Mexico's most wanted drug lord, with USD 15 million bounty, killed
Mon, Feb 23 2026
UK: Taxi driver jailed for nine years for raping sleeping passenger
Sun, Feb 22 2026