In a significant move underscoring the growing concern among international diplomats and humanitarian workers, UN Staff for Gaza has announced the appointment of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as its Honorary Chair.
The announcement marks a critical moment for the organization, which has mobilized United Nations staff in response to what it calls “brazen violations of international humanitarian law” in Gaza. Ban Ki-moon, who served as the UN’s 8th Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016, brings decades of diplomatic experience and moral authority to the role.
“It is heartening to see UN staff rally together in defense of principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and our common humanity,” said Ban in a statement. “Every additional life lost in a war that respects no rules—and with no accountability for the perpetrators of such crimes—is a nail in the coffin of a rules-based international order.”
Ban’s appointment comes amid escalating concern for the safety of humanitarian workers and civilians in Gaza. Hundreds of UN staff and aid workers have been killed in the conflict, prompting urgent calls from within and outside the United Nations for greater protection and accountability.
As Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon led the UN through a period of immense global change. His tenure saw the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the landmark Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. He was also a strong advocate for the two-State solution and the rights of the Palestinian people, while consistently emphasizing Israel’s legitimate security concerns.
Following his tenure, Ban founded the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens and served as Deputy Chair of The Elders, a group of eminent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela. The Elders have been vocal on humanitarian issues in Gaza, aligning closely with the mission of UN Staff for Gaza.
Ban’s connection to the United Nations is deeply personal. As a child displaced by the Korean War, he received life-saving aid from UNICEF—a formative experience that led to his lifelong commitment to diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. He entered the Korean foreign service in 1970 and later served in key UN-related roles, including as Foreign Minister of South Korea and Chef de Cabinet to the President of the UN General Assembly.
UN Staff for Gaza, a growing international movement of current and former UN personnel, aims to uphold the values and legal obligations of the United Nations Charter in one of the world’s most volatile humanitarian crises. Ban’s appointment is seen as a major boost for the movement’s legitimacy and moral authority.
“His support is an immeasurable asset,” said a spokesperson for UN Staff for Gaza. “He embodies the principles of global solidarity and human dignity that we are fighting to preserve.”
Ban’s 2021 memoir, Resolved: Uniting Nations in a Divided World, reflects on his career and unwavering belief in the power of multilateralism. Today, as violence continues in Gaza and trust in international institutions is tested, his voice may be more vital than ever.
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