Home › Policy › Strategic Challenges › Intra-Asia

The Quest for Peace and Prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Beyond

Share

Ban Ki-moon (Marcello Casal Jr./agenciabrasil.gov.br)
enlarge image

Ban Ki-moon (Marcello Casal Jr./agenciabrasil.gov.br)

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea

New York
September 25, 2006

Address to Asia Society

Thank you, Mr. Ferguson, for the kind introduction.

Dr. Desai, President of the Asia Society, Ambassador Holbrooke, Chairman of the Asia Society, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would first like to thank Dr. Desai, Ambassador Holbrooke and the Asia Society for inviting me to speak tonight. I remember well the very enjoyable evening I had with President Desai and Vice President Metzl in Seoul last July. I remain grateful for the exchange of insightful and informed views.

Today, I have a few topics that I want to discuss. But first, I would like to say a few words about the Asia Society and its unique contributions to Asia-US relations.

As we all know, when John Rockfeller III founded the Asia Society in 1956, he did so with the conviction that Americans needed to engage Asia on multiple fronts. In keeping with his philosophy and ideas, the Asia Society has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about Asia among Americans and to strengthen relations between Asia and the United States.

In an effort to deepen mutual understanding, the Asia Society has introduced many programs widely known for their excellence. In particular, I would like to applaud the annual Williamsburg Conference, which has become a forum for high-calibre strategic dialogue among policy-makers and opinion leaders throughout Asia and the United States.

This year, the Asia Society marks its 50th anniversary. Taking this opportunity, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Desai, Ambassador Holbrooke and all members of the Asia Society. The Society is celebrating its 50th birthday with the launch of many new initiatives, such as the " Asia 21 Young Leaders Forum". Korea is honored to host the first Forum in Seoul coming November. Prime Minister Han Myeong Sook will deliver a keynote speech at the Forum.

Another ambitious project will be the opening of the Asia Society Seoul Center in 2007. The launch of the Center will be, I am sure, a milestone that signals even closer and busier ties between Korea and the Asia Society in the years and decades ahead.


Asia-Pacific and Beyond

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is often said that this is the century of the Asia-Pacific region. Encompassing half of the landmass of the world, home to 42% of the world population, and constituting 57% of the world GDP and 46% of world trade, the region is indeed on the rise.

The countries of the region have recorded impressive GDP growth, thanks largely to favorable markets such as the United States and strong domestic demands, and their economies are expected to remain robust in the coming years. The region is the growth engine for the global economy and an area of vital importance for world peace and stability.

However, despite the great economic success and huge potential, the security situation of the Asia-Pacific region remains fluid and volatile and a sense of community is lacking in the region. Deep-seated differences over history, political and economic systems, ethnicity, religion, and cultural traditions have prevented the countries of the region from seeking a shared destiny.

Indeed, when it comes to regional cooperation, the Asia-Pacific region is lagging far behind others. Fortunately, the realization that future peace and prosperity lies in community-building and integration is spreading around the region. And the experiences in such fora as the ASEAN+3, APEC, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the East Asia Summit are proving that greater institutional cooperation on issues beyond economic ties is not only desirable but also attainable in the Asia-Pacific region.

These existing entities hold the seeds for the development of an effective, action-oriented body that can make a real difference on issues of peace and security. A more comprehensive and forward-looking way to improve upon the regional arrangements is needed at this point.

In my view, multilateral security cooperation in the Asia Pacific must incorporate three elements: first, it must aim to be a "cooperative" security, the benefit of which accrue to all participating countries; second, it should be a "comprehensive" security that comprises non-traditional as well as traditional security concerns; and third, it must embrace "human security" based upon the universal values of human rights and humanitarianism.

Europe has set the preeminent example for such multilateral cooperation. Following the Second World War, former foes of Europe boldly opted for multilateralism and interdependence as the surest way to keep them from fighting again and prosper together. Guided by leaders with vision, they started out on the process of security dialogue and economic integration in order to keep peace and spread democracy in Europe. They took steps to overcome hostility and established mechanisms for the forging of future-oriented relations.

The European experience with the EU and the OSCE tells us that action-oriented political leadership is vital to the creation and growth of successful multinational bodies. The time has come for such leadership in the Asia-Pacific, and this, in the first instance, from the essential power in the region, the United States.

aghadilbar | 10:19:09 09:47am
Subject peace and prosperity Dear President Barrack Obama The Great Leader of the World I Agha Dilbar have sent Mr. President 100 registered research Letters (1000 new ideas to develop America and to Change the World for Peace and Prosperity) through Embassy of USA Islamabad till today and also direct sent these registered Letters to Whitehouse Washington DC 20500.These letters have been written on the guidelines of CHANGE WE NEED. And these letters are about the Common Men Problems of respected American Peoples and their Solutions. To end, Economic Recession, Unemployment and to Finish War, all round the World for Peace and Prosperity. In these letters I have sent one thousand new scientific Planning /Suggestions, about every walk of life for Peace through Friendship Progress and Prosperity all over the World. Dear Barrack Obama, the Great Leader of the World, my Friend, my Brother, Provide an opportunity to Agha Dilbar to pay an Official Visit to America, that we two brothers can sit together and by halting this horrible war(In this war 1-million peoples have died from 9/11 till today, if this war continues, it will become the 111- World War.200-Million people would die, if 111-World War is triggered) can take out 6.5 billion people of the World from abyss of destruction and then put them on the road to Progress and Prosperity. Dear President Barrack Obama considers, from 9/11 till today, America has conducted many war operations in connection with War on Terror, resulting the circle of war has spread hundred times. Millions innocent persons have died. Many More have been rendered homeless. One Lak (10000) war affected youth joined the army of Al-Qaida and Talban by the help of anti American countries have begun gorilla war in a horrible manner. It is the result of wrong war strategy. I Agha Dilbar desire to solve all above mentioned problems in a meeting with President Barrack Obama by adopting new revolutionary planning by bringing an end to present gorilla war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the result the World can enter in a peaceful, advanced and progressive world, May it be so. I Agha Dilbar have a new War Strategy to achieve success through Table Talk between Talban, Pakistan and American Govts. 90% of Talban that are fighting against Pak Army belong from Swat and Tribal Areas of NWFP. I can provide America all realistic facts in such manner that their implementation could convert these Talban into Patriotic Citizens of Pakistan. In this War Strategy Pakistan Gov will never send his Heavy Artillery, Tanks, Cannons and Air craft in war. In this way 5-million persons will never Displaced. In the end Talban by their will handover, their Weapons to Pakistan Gov, they will come to Table Talk and Suicide Bombing will come to an end in Pakistan. Through this War Strategy Pakistani and American Govts can save expenses on war. Through this planning American and Pakistani Govts can utilize their saving on war budgets for development of Schools, Hospitals, Colonies, Markets, Roads, Bridges, Dams, Canals and Industries of Swat and Tribal Areas of NWFP that are war affected. On account of present war strategy, Billion Dollars are being wasted yearly. This war can cause Fall of America instead of continuation of war; my best suggestion for America must keep his Supper Power on the World and should conquer the World instead of war, but by his No-1 scientific technology spending on agriculture, trade, education, scientific development and tourism, all round the World. Making an end to Economic Crisis in America. A new Global Package is being offered for your kind honour.America will have to make complete and final announcement that in future all Multinational American Companies to get free land on 20-years lease and will set up under the BOOT agreement (in undeveloped and poor countries) factories, mills five star hotels, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, air companies, shipping companies, latest railway, bus transport and steel mills. All these companies will be bound to handover without any cost to underdeloped and poor countries well as their machinery and transport after 20-yaars. A new suggestion in connection with Global Peace is offered that in return of export American Agriculture and Industrial Products, will give his 50% prophet to the exporting countries and utilize as Aid on the development of agriculture, industry, trade, education and tourism. This suggestion, making an end to American Economic Crisis and get full support to enhance his Foreign Public Relation . May it be so? To make successful American Foreign Policy on Global Level the following planning is put before: a) America will have to provide free scholar ships at least to ten top master students (in each country) of medical and science in underdeveloped and poor countries of the world. b) Highly educated and well trained one hundred cultural groups (each group contains 100 persons) will have to arrange one hundred cultural shows for three months in big cities of underdeveloped and poor countries. c) America will have to arrange exhibitions through his Embassies for his latest products, in the underdeveloped and poor countries .All these mentioned above industrial exhibitions will be arranged continuously for two months. In the above mentioned exhibitions present products will be sold except export order booking. In mentioned above exhibitions, American Cultural Programmes will have to arrange and American Traditional Dishes will be kept for sale. In these exhibitions American Tourism Stalls will also be set of. , Following rules and regulations will be undertaken for the progress and prosperity of American students. a) Among matric, fsc, bsc, engering.mbbs, llb, ca and diploma holders in all institutions, all those receiving degrees at the state level, ten each from girls and boys by cash prizes will be announced on behalf of the gov during invitation on lunch. b) For above mentioned top ten intelligent students boys and girls each, tours for different historical and healthy sites will be arranged free of cast. c) Talent schools of international level will be set up over the country at the district level, in which students of extra-ordinary sports talent taught from class one to fsc level. d) American states gov will announce free transport, free lunch during education to all school, college and university students. Minimize the aforesaid differences, which I will deliver to president The increasing distress and hatred between the Muslim world and America is the major cause of week relationship on public and government level. As a sincere friend I have practical suggestions to Barack Obama in my official visit to America. I request the government of America to allow me to describe (first of all my briefing with president’s advisors). My one thousand plans & ideas for changing the world before one to one meeting with the president Barac obama.thanks I Agha Dilbar have sent Ten Million research Peace Letters to International Community from 9/11 incident till today. This letter is my Great Peace Mission plan which is continued. Present Global Economic Crisis is the result of War on Terror. This Crisis if further accelerates could initiate a 111-World War. Please hear my Voice of Truth; I can save the World, for my Great Peace Mission, with the help of President Barrack Obama, Peace and Prosperity. Mr. Barracka Obama you are not only the Leader of America, you are Great Leader of the World. In this connection I am waiting for your Email response, dated 2.10.2009. Please Confirm. Thank you, God blesses you and God bless America. Agha Dilbar (founder) International Revolution Movement 64-neelum block ait Lahore (Pakistan) Phone 0092427830084 Cell 03224628349 Email aghadilbar4@gmail.com This Open Letter has been sent One Lak (100000) to International Community for the welfare of Humanity till today. I Agha Dilbar authorize Newspapers, Magazines, Internet, to Publish and Radio, T.V. Channels to broadcast this letter all round the World Reply Forward Invite Cotendo to Gmail

Post new comment

Your comments are welcome, please adhere to our guidelines

Be respectful. Personal attacks will not be tolerated; nor will profane, abusive or threatening posts.

Keep it short (150 words or less), Stay on topic.

Asia Society reserves the right to moderate all comments and remove or edit for guideline violations. Thank you.

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Type the characters you see in this picture. (verify using audio)
Type the characters you see in the picture above; if you can't read them, submit the form and a new image will be generated. Not case sensitive.