16 September 2014 - Just days ahead of the opening of this year’s General Assembly session, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on world leaders to act against serious threats to global and regional peace in several nations, including South Sudan.

“We will not let these crises be forgotten and we will meet next week at the highest level to determine what more we can do,” Mr. Ban said, addressing journalists in New York.

This year’s General Assembly will be attended by more than 140 heads of state or government, civil society leaders, CEOs and other influential global figures.

“The world is facing multiple crises. Each has its own dynamics, and requires its own approach,” Mr. Ban said.” But all have featured atrocious attacks on civilians, including children.”

“All have dangerous sectarian, ethnic or tribal dimensions,” the Secretary-General added. “And many have seen sharp divisions within the international community itself over the response.”

Meanwhile, on the heels of yet another meeting on the outbreak of Ebola held today in Geneva, Mr. Ban urged the international community to act immediately to contain the epidemic and treat those infected. He pledged to continue his efforts to mobilize the international community to help meet the health services, supplies, food and other requirements.

“We cannot allow travel bans on travel or transport to slow us down. We need isolation of people affected by Ebola – not nations struggling to cope with it,” Mr. Ban said.

“This is not just a health crisis; it has grave economic and social consequences that could spread far beyond the affected countries.”

On a broader range, the new session of the General Assembly will be a pivotal period for efforts to defeat poverty and adopt a new generation of sustainable development goals, said Mr. Ban.