Ex-UN chief Ban Ki-moon: ‘Global situation is extremely dangerous, multilateralism must be restored centered on the UN’

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (center) receives a bouquet from an attendee at the premiere of the documentary film “The Quiet Diplomat” held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul on June 19. / Yonhap News

Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), on June 19 called the current international situation “extremely complex and dangerous,” emphasizing that nations must work together under the leadership of the UN to resolve the crises.

Ban made these remarks at a screening of the documentary film “The Quiet Diplomat,” held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. “Nations must cooperate closely to reaffirm and realize the UN’s three core goals, world peace, economic development, and human rights,” he said. “It is my sincere hope to see a revival of multilateralism centered around the UN.”

Addressing global conflicts, Ban said, “Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has dragged on for over three years, with countless civilian casualties. In Gaza, the loss of life continues, and Israel’s recent strike on Iran is raising the risk of the entire Middle East turning into a battlefield.”

He further noted that “Trumpism has reshaped the traditional international order, and the spirit of cooperation and solidarity among liberal democracies is steadily weakening.”

“The Quiet Diplomat,” set to be released next month, is a documentary directed by American filmmaker Charles Lyons and based on Ban’s memoir “Resolved-Uniting Nations in a Divided World.” The film chronicles Ban’s childhood, his aspiration to become a diplomat, and his decade-long tenure as UN Secretary-General. After premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival last year, it has since been screened in cities including New York and Vienna. A screening is also scheduled in Los Angeles this September.

Ban commented on the documentary, saying, “I didn’t agree to make this film in hopes of winning an Academy Award. I simply wished for the key roles and activities of the UN, along with the dedication and service of its staff, to be more widely recognized.”

He added, “UN staff, including the Secretary-General, work extremely hard, but few people acknowledge that. When you go to New York, people recognize actors or lawmakers, but hardly anyone knows the UN Secretary-General, even though it is such a critical role. I find that quite ironic, and that is my honest feeling.”

※This article has undergone review by a professional translator after being translated by an AI translation tool.