Former UN chief Ban Ki-Moon warned Tuesday the world is at the "point of no return" on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-theres-something-there-manmade-or-not-regarding-climate-change-171639">climate change</a> as he launched an international commission on responses to global warming.&nbsp;

The Global Commission on Adaptation is endorsed by 17 countries including major economic powers China, Germany and India and will look at ways the world -- especially poor nations -- can shield themselves against the impact of rising temperatures.

"We are at the point of no return," Ban told an audience at the commission's launch in The Hague, where the Netherlands hosted its 28 commissioners.

Ban's remarks followed the release of a landmark United Nations report earlier this month that warned of global warming-triggered chaos unless dramatic action is taken.

The world must choose from two paths: one that could lead to a "more climate resilient future," said Ban, the United Nations secretary general from 2007 to 2016.

"Or we can continue with the status quo, putting at risk global economic growth and social stability that will undermine our food and water security... for decades to come," he said.

The commission is co-led by US billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and the World Bank's Kristalina Georgieva.

On current trends, Earth is on track to warm up an unlivable three or four degrees Celsius (5.4 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, far about the 1.5 C climate-safe threshold endorsed last week by the UN in its climate change assessment.

Paris pact withdrawal 
International efforts to create a united front to tackle global warming have been hit by the US withdrawal from the Paris climate pact, with US President Donald Trump again on Monday questioning climate change.

The commission will look at measures countries can take to defend themselves against the effects of climate change, such as rising water levels and prolonged droughts.

Dutch knowledge of working with water will form part of the commission's recommended actions, which will be presented at the UN's climate summit in September next year.

"For the Netherlands, looking for solutions to water issues is part of everyday life," Dutch Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen said before the commission's launch.

"But experience has taught us that prevention is better than cure," she said.

Storm surges and tidal cycles caused record sea levels along the Dutch coastline last year and are closely watched in a country where much of the land lies below sea level.

The Netherlands is protected from flooding by a series of defences such as dykes, sand dunes, windmills to pump away water and sophisticated barrages. 
&nbsp;

Former UN chief Ban Ki-Moon warned Tuesday the world is at the "point of no return" on climate change as he launched an international commission on responses to global warming.

Former UN chief Ban Ki-Moon warned Tuesday the world is at the "point of no return" on climate change as he launched an international commission on responses to global warming. The Global Commission on Adaptation is endorsed by 17 countries including major economic powers China, Germany and India and will look at ways the world -- especially poor nations -- can shield themselves against the impact of rising temperatures. "We are at the point of no return," Ban told an audience at the commission's launch in The Hague, where the Netherlands hosted its 28 commissioners. Ban's remarks followed the release of a landmark United Nations report earlier this month that warned of global warming-triggered chaos unless dramatic action is taken. The world must choose from two paths: one that could lead to a "more climate resilient future," said Ban, the United Nations secretary general from 2007 to 2016. "Or we can continue with the status quo, putting at risk global economic growth and social stability that will undermine our food and water security... for decades to come," he said. The commission is co-led by US billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and the World Bank's Kristalina Georgieva. On current trends, Earth is on track to warm up an unlivable three or four degrees Celsius (5.4 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, far about the 1.5 C climate-safe threshold endorsed last week by the UN in its climate change assessment. Paris pact withdrawal International efforts to create a united front to tackle global warming have been hit by the US withdrawal from the Paris climate pact, with US President Donald Trump again on Monday questioning climate change. The commission will look at measures countries can take to defend themselves against the effects of climate change, such as rising water levels and prolonged droughts. Dutch knowledge of working with water will form part of the commission's recommended actions, which will be presented at the UN's climate summit in September next year. "For the Netherlands, looking for solutions to water issues is part of everyday life," Dutch Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen said before the commission's launch. "But experience has taught us that prevention is better than cure," she said. Storm surges and tidal cycles caused record sea levels along the Dutch coastline last year and are closely watched in a country where much of the land lies below sea level. The Netherlands is protected from flooding by a series of defences such as dykes, sand dunes, windmills to pump away water and sophisticated barrages.

Climate change 'at point of no return': Ex-UN chief Ban Ki-Moon

Former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon abruptly ended his attempt to seek South Korea&#39;s presidency Wednesday, dropping a lifetime of diplomacy to denounce his country&#39;s political establishment.

Ban returned home last month after a decade in New York and was widely expected to run in elections due this year, but his putative candidacy ran into a series of stumbles and he struggled for backing.

&quot;I will give up my pure intention to bring about a change in politics under my leadership and to unify the country,&quot; he told reporters at a hastily arranged press conference.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m sorry for disappointing many people.&quot;

Although he never officially declared he was running, the former UN chief embarked on a series of public appearances and repeatedly spoke of the need to bring about a &quot;change in politics&quot; in a country where a wide-ranging corruption scandal has seen President Park Geun-Hye impeached.

Reports claimed he had signed a contract to rent a 660-square metre office in Seoul, and as recently as Tuesday he was urging a change to the constitution to dilute the sweeping executive powers of the presidency and ensure more co-operative governance.

The 72-year-old was widely expected to join Park&#39;s Saenuri party or an emerging conservative breakaway group for presidential elections which are due this year, whatever the outcome of the impeachment process.

But he struggled to secure party backing in South Korea&#39;s highly partisan political system, and corruption allegations were made against some of his relatives.

&quot;I was very disappointed by the parochial, selfish attitudes of some politicians,&quot; he said Wednesday. &quot;I reached a conclusion that it would be meaningless to move forward with them.&quot;

&quot;In order to resolve our current problems, we need to abandon the self-conceited attitude of &#39;it must be me or no one else&#39;,&quot; Ban added.

&#39;Pure aspirations&#39;

But he was also to some extent the author of his own misfortune, analysts said, not articulating a clear political platform and his prominent global role failing to translate into domestic support.

Pictures of him trying to put two banknotes into a ticket machine at once made him appear out of touch, and front-page photos of him wearing a bib to feed porridge to an old woman flat on her back in a care home sparked public fury.

He was criticised for wearing head-to-toe protective gear to try out a disinfectant spray at a farm, when most of those around him were not similarly dressed, and came under fire for becoming infuriated with reporters who asked questions about a controversial agreement between South Korea and Japan on wartime sex slaves.

&quot;My pure patriotism and aspirations have fallen victim to slander that was close to personality slaughter,&quot; he said Wednesday, before bowing briefly, shuffling his papers and leaving the stage to a barrage of camera flashes.

His support in public opinion polls had rapidly declined from 20.3 percent when he returned to 13.1 per cent before his announcement.

The Saenuri party called Ban&#39;s sudden withdrawal from politics &quot;regrettable&quot;.

&quot;We cannot but deplore that he was discouraged by the selfishness of some politicians,&quot; it said in a statement.

Presidential race frontrunner Moon Jae-In, of the main opposition Democratic Party, said Ban&#39;s announcement was &quot;unexpected considering his recent activities&quot; but said he will seek his advice on diplomatic issues.

During his pre-UN career Ban never joined any South Korean political party, despite serving as foreign minister under the late liberal president Roh Moo-Hyun from 2004 to 2006.

Political scientist Park Kie-Duck, former head of the Sejong Institute, a prestigious independent think-tank, told AFP that Ban &quot;failed to project an image as a leader with a vision and concrete political agenda&quot;.

&quot;With no political machines to rely on, his fame as a former UN secretary-general has been wearing thin very quickly,&quot; he said.

&quot;As a career diplomat, the country&#39;s rough and tumble political life was simply too much for him.&quot;

(AFP)

The former UN secretary-general's return to South Korea has been mired in a series of PR gaffes and a scandal involving family members

Former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon abruptly ended his attempt to seek South Korea's presidency Wednesday, dropping a lifetime of diplomacy to denounce his country's political establishment. Ban returned home last month after a decade in New York and was widely expected to run in elections due this year, but his putative candidacy ran into a series of stumbles and he struggled for backing. "I will give up my pure intention to bring about a change in politics under my leadership and to unify the country," he told reporters at a hastily arranged press conference. "I'm sorry for disappointing many people." Although he never officially declared he was running, the former UN chief embarked on a series of public appearances and repeatedly spoke of the need to bring about a "change in politics" in a country where a wide-ranging corruption scandal has seen President Park Geun-Hye impeached. Reports claimed he had signed a contract to rent a 660-square metre office in Seoul, and as recently as Tuesday he was urging a change to the constitution to dilute the sweeping executive powers of the presidency and ensure more co-operative governance. The 72-year-old was widely expected to join Park's Saenuri party or an emerging conservative breakaway group for presidential elections which are due this year, whatever the outcome of the impeachment process. But he struggled to secure party backing in South Korea's highly partisan political system, and corruption allegations were made against some of his relatives. "I was very disappointed by the parochial, selfish attitudes of some politicians," he said Wednesday. "I reached a conclusion that it would be meaningless to move forward with them." "In order to resolve our current problems, we need to abandon the self-conceited attitude of 'it must be me or no one else'," Ban added. 'Pure aspirations' But he was also to some extent the author of his own misfortune, analysts said, not articulating a clear political platform and his prominent global role failing to translate into domestic support. Pictures of him trying to put two banknotes into a ticket machine at once made him appear out of touch, and front-page photos of him wearing a bib to feed porridge to an old woman flat on her back in a care home sparked public fury. He was criticised for wearing head-to-toe protective gear to try out a disinfectant spray at a farm, when most of those around him were not similarly dressed, and came under fire for becoming infuriated with reporters who asked questions about a controversial agreement between South Korea and Japan on wartime sex slaves. "My pure patriotism and aspirations have fallen victim to slander that was close to personality slaughter," he said Wednesday, before bowing briefly, shuffling his papers and leaving the stage to a barrage of camera flashes. His support in public opinion polls had rapidly declined from 20.3 percent when he returned to 13.1 per cent before his announcement. The Saenuri party called Ban's sudden withdrawal from politics "regrettable". "We cannot but deplore that he was discouraged by the selfishness of some politicians," it said in a statement. Presidential race frontrunner Moon Jae-In, of the main opposition Democratic Party, said Ban's announcement was "unexpected considering his recent activities" but said he will seek his advice on diplomatic issues. During his pre-UN career Ban never joined any South Korean political party, despite serving as foreign minister under the late liberal president Roh Moo-Hyun from 2004 to 2006. Political scientist Park Kie-Duck, former head of the Sejong Institute, a prestigious independent think-tank, told AFP that Ban "failed to project an image as a leader with a vision and concrete political agenda". "With no political machines to rely on, his fame as a former UN secretary-general has been wearing thin very quickly," he said. "As a career diplomat, the country's rough and tumble political life was simply too much for him." (AFP)

Ban Ki-moon rules out South Korean presidential bid, blames 'personality slaughter'

Antonio Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister, will be sworn in tomorrow as the next UN Secretary General, succeeding Ban Ki-moon as the ninth chief of the 71-year old world body.

President of the UN General Assembly, Peter Thomson, will administer the oath of office to Guterres, 67, at a special plenary meeting of the 193-member General Assembly here. The Secretary-General-designate will then address the General Assembly.

Guterres was unanimously appointed by the General Assembly as the successor to Ban, after the 15-nation Security Council had in October decided by acclamation to send his name to the Assembly for final approval.

Ban&#39;s second five-year term as the world&#39;s top diplomat ends on December 31 and Guterres will assume his new role for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2017. The former Portuguese prime minister and UN High Commissioner for Refugees had remained the front-runner in the election to choose Ban&#39;s successor amid growing calls by civil society and several UN member states to elect a woman Secretary General.

During the special plenary meeting, speakers will pay tribute to Ban and after being administered the oath of office the Secretary-General-designate will also address the General Assembly.

Among those paying tributes to Ban will be Thomson and representatives from Burkina Faso who will speak on behalf of the African states, Lao People&#39;s Democratic Republic who will speak on behalf of the Asia-Pacific States, Latvia who will speak on behalf of the eastern European States, Costa Rica who will speak on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean states, Sweden who will speak on behalf of the western European and other States and the United States of America who will speak in its capacity as the host country.

Following his election, Guterres had vowed to work as a &quot;convener&quot; and &quot;bridge-builder&quot; to help find solutions to the world&#39;s pressing challenges.

He had underscored that human dignity, gender equality and fighting the alliance of violent extremists and expressions of xenophobia will be among his priorities as the world&#39;s top diplomat.

&quot;I am fully aware of the challenges the UN faces and the limitations surrounding the Secretary-General,&quot; Guterres had said in his first address to the General Assembly following his appointment as the 9th Secretary General of the UN.

He had said the dramatic problems of today&#39;s complex world can only inspire a &quot;humble approach - one in which the Secretary-General alone neither has all the answers, nor seeks to impose his views; one in which the Secretary-General makes his good offices available, working as a convener, a mediator, a bridge-builder and an honest broker to help find solutions that benefit everyone involved&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

Ban Ki-moon's term ends on December 31, then Guterres will immediately assume his new role for a five-year term

Antonio Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister, will be sworn in tomorrow as the next UN Secretary General, succeeding Ban Ki-moon as the ninth chief of the 71-year old world body. President of the UN General Assembly, Peter Thomson, will administer the oath of office to Guterres, 67, at a special plenary meeting of the 193-member General Assembly here. The Secretary-General-designate will then address the General Assembly. Guterres was unanimously appointed by the General Assembly as the successor to Ban, after the 15-nation Security Council had in October decided by acclamation to send his name to the Assembly for final approval. Ban's second five-year term as the world's top diplomat ends on December 31 and Guterres will assume his new role for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2017. The former Portuguese prime minister and UN High Commissioner for Refugees had remained the front-runner in the election to choose Ban's successor amid growing calls by civil society and several UN member states to elect a woman Secretary General. During the special plenary meeting, speakers will pay tribute to Ban and after being administered the oath of office the Secretary-General-designate will also address the General Assembly. Among those paying tributes to Ban will be Thomson and representatives from Burkina Faso who will speak on behalf of the African states, Lao People's Democratic Republic who will speak on behalf of the Asia-Pacific States, Latvia who will speak on behalf of the eastern European States, Costa Rica who will speak on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean states, Sweden who will speak on behalf of the western European and other States and the United States of America who will speak in its capacity as the host country. Following his election, Guterres had vowed to work as a "convener" and "bridge-builder" to help find solutions to the world's pressing challenges. He had underscored that human dignity, gender equality and fighting the alliance of violent extremists and expressions of xenophobia will be among his priorities as the world's top diplomat. "I am fully aware of the challenges the UN faces and the limitations surrounding the Secretary-General," Guterres had said in his first address to the General Assembly following his appointment as the 9th Secretary General of the UN. He had said the dramatic problems of today's complex world can only inspire a "humble approach - one in which the Secretary-General alone neither has all the answers, nor seeks to impose his views; one in which the Secretary-General makes his good offices available, working as a convener, a mediator, a bridge-builder and an honest broker to help find solutions that benefit everyone involved". (PTI)

Antonio Guterres to be sworn-in as UN Secretary General tomorrow

Major Siddharth Chatterjee, Sena Medal(Retd) served under my command in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990, has recently been appointed as the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Kenya. Major Chatterjee was a decorated and highly valued member of my team, who served with honor, distinction and epitomized the credo of the Indian Army, &ldquo;service before self&rdquo;.

Recently an utterly unprofessional and garden-variety blogger, called Matthew Russell Lee, who runs a blog out of the UN in New York, has hurled scurrilous, unfounded and mendacious accusations of human rights violations against Major Chatterjee. Major Chatterjee was a star member of my battalion, the 10th Para Special Forces, and at no time was my battalion or any member of my unit ever involved in any form of human rights violation.&nbsp;

I state this unequivocally.&nbsp;

My battalion was part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force that was invited to Sri Lanka by the Government of Sri Lanka to uphold the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord signed between our late Prime Minister Mr. Rajiv Gandhi and the late President of Sri Lanka Mr. Jayawardane in 1987.

My battalion took tremendous losses of dead and wounded officers and men to ensure the peace in Sri Lanka, a difficult task we had to wage, particularly, with &ldquo;one arm tied behind our backs&rdquo;.

Major Chatterjee&rsquo;s qualities as a soldier are beyond reproach and he was an example of an officer and a gentleman.

To attack the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, using Major Chatterjee&rsquo;s&nbsp; service in Sri Lanka, is not only absurd but deserves to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I am appalled at the impunity and utter disregard Mr. Lee has demonstrated to malign reputations. This is an example of yellow journalism and clearly there seem to be no editorial checks. I would sincerely suggest that Mr. Lee also undertakes a thorough mental health check.&nbsp;

I have noted that he seems to be obsessed with Major Chatterjee since 2007 when his father in law Mr. Ban became the UN Secretary General.

It is important to be reminded that, Chatterjee joined the United Nations system in January 1997, 10 years before Mr. Ban was elected for the position of Secretary General. His quick rise in the UN from 1997 to 2004, starting as an International Field Service Officer of Limited Duration (level 4) and reaching to a professional level (P-5) by 2004, is a testimony to his professionalism. It shows his ability to adapt and serve in adverse conditions and deliver results. Mr. Ban was not around as the UN Secretary General then.

This article by Forbes magazine, a reputable and trustworthy news source, sets the record straight, &ldquo;Misread Nepotism At The U.N.: Why Siddharth Chatterjee&#39;s Well-Earned Appointment Requires Explanation&rdquo;&nbsp; and I would encourage Mr. Lee to read it and also publish it on his website.

I and every retired and existing members of the 10th Para Special Forces battalion are proud of Major Chatterjee&rsquo;s many achievements and wish him, &ldquo;God Speed and Happy Landings&rdquo; in his new role as the UN&rsquo;s leader in Kenya.

My battalion took tremendous losses of dead and wounded men to ensure peace in Sri Lanka

Major Siddharth Chatterjee, Sena Medal(Retd) served under my command in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990, has recently been appointed as the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Kenya. Major Chatterjee was a decorated and highly valued member of my team, who served with honor, distinction and epitomized the credo of the Indian Army, “service before self”. Recently an utterly unprofessional and garden-variety blogger, called Matthew Russell Lee, who runs a blog out of the UN in New York, has hurled scurrilous, unfounded and mendacious accusations of human rights violations against Major Chatterjee. Major Chatterjee was a star member of my battalion, the 10th Para Special Forces, and at no time was my battalion or any member of my unit ever involved in any form of human rights violation. I state this unequivocally. My battalion was part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force that was invited to Sri Lanka by the Government of Sri Lanka to uphold the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord signed between our late Prime Minister Mr. Rajiv Gandhi and the late President of Sri Lanka Mr. Jayawardane in 1987. My battalion took tremendous losses of dead and wounded officers and men to ensure the peace in Sri Lanka, a difficult task we had to wage, particularly, with “one arm tied behind our backs”. Major Chatterjee’s qualities as a soldier are beyond reproach and he was an example of an officer and a gentleman. To attack the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, using Major Chatterjee’s service in Sri Lanka, is not only absurd but deserves to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I am appalled at the impunity and utter disregard Mr. Lee has demonstrated to malign reputations. This is an example of yellow journalism and clearly there seem to be no editorial checks. I would sincerely suggest that Mr. Lee also undertakes a thorough mental health check. I have noted that he seems to be obsessed with Major Chatterjee since 2007 when his father in law Mr. Ban became the UN Secretary General. It is important to be reminded that, Chatterjee joined the United Nations system in January 1997, 10 years before Mr. Ban was elected for the position of Secretary General. His quick rise in the UN from 1997 to 2004, starting as an International Field Service Officer of Limited Duration (level 4) and reaching to a professional level (P-5) by 2004, is a testimony to his professionalism. It shows his ability to adapt and serve in adverse conditions and deliver results. Mr. Ban was not around as the UN Secretary General then. This article by Forbes magazine, a reputable and trustworthy news source, sets the record straight, “Misread Nepotism At The U.N.: Why Siddharth Chatterjee's Well-Earned Appointment Requires Explanation” and I would encourage Mr. Lee to read it and also publish it on his website. I and every retired and existing members of the 10th Para Special Forces battalion are proud of Major Chatterjee’s many achievements and wish him, “God Speed and Happy Landings” in his new role as the UN’s leader in Kenya.

Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Secretary General Ban?s son-in-law, is a man of honour

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Climate change 'at point of no return': Ex-UN chief Ban Ki-Moon

Ban Ki-moon rules out South Korean presidential bid, blames 'personality slaughter'

Antonio Guterres to be sworn-in as UN Secretary General tomorrow

Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Secretary General Ban?s son-in-law, is a man of honour