Legarda honors Ban Ki-moon for positive global impact

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda honored former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his outstanding global contributions to global diplomacy, peacekeeping efforts, and sustainable development.

The four-term senator personally conveyed the message as the eighth UN Secretary-General visited the Philippine Senate, with Legarda filing Senate Resolution No. 929 that commended the South Korean diplomat.

“In 2013, following the devastation brought by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, his visit to Tacloban City in December symbolized a strong message of hope for affected communities,” said Legarda during her sponsorship speech.

“I admire his visionary leadership. His chairmanship of the Global Commission on Adaptation, alongside Bill Gates and Kristalina Georgieva, demonstrated a strong dedication to taking tangible actions on climate adaptation and resilience-building efforts,” she added, describing her time working with Ban Ki-moon.

Ban Ki-moon is in the country for a three-day visit, where he participated in the ADB Eminent Speakers’ Forum as keynote speaker, talking about the scourge of climate change.

His nine-year term, which lasted from 2007 to 2016, was marked by a relentless pursuit of peace, advocacies for sustainable development, and efforts to address humanity’s global challenges.

These included climate change, economic instability, pandemics and health crises, rights of women, children, and refugees, and increasing pressures involving food, energy, and water. He also advocated for the creation of UN Women and launched efforts to help end violence against women and empower women around the globe.

According to Legarda, this was in line with Ban Ki-moon’s aim to strengthen bonds among nations, amplify the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable, and strengthen the United Nations to face the complexities of today’s world.

“As someone advocating for the same causes championed by Secretary-General Ban, including climate justice and sustainability, poverty alleviation, public health improvement, women’s empowerment, and gender equality, I am deeply honored to sponsor this resolution,” shared Legarda.

“I am pleased to convey that the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) for the establishment of the GGGI Office within the country was sponsored during the Senate session yesterday, and the Senate has concurred into its ratification today,” she continued.

Ban Ki-moon currently serves as chairperson of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and has continued his mission of helping GGGI member states, including the Philippines, shift towards greener practices and climate action.

The GGGI’s initiatives align with Legarda’s goals of sustainability, resilience, and inclusive growth.

“As we honor and commend the eighth United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, today, let us all draw inspiration from his legacy to strengthen our resolve in confronting the global challenges of our time,” Legarda concluded. (30)