At a year-end news conference, the U.N. chief said 2009 "promises to be no less difficult" than 2008, with a worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the danger of anarchy in Somalia, a continuing global financial crisis and the need to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
Ban said he has been frustrated by the failure to protect innocent lives, and the lack of resources and political will to tackle important issues such as poverty, conflicts and climate change.
Though the world came together to confront the global financial crisis, "I fear we are only at the end of the beginning," Ban said, stressing that "global solidarity" will be key to a solution.
Ban said he was pleased at the world's response to natural disasters, including the devastating cyclone in Myanmar and hurricanes that lashed Haiti.
"Yet I am disappointed by the unwillingness of the government of Myanmar to deliver on its promises for democratic dialogue and the release of political prisoners," he said.
In Zimbabwe, Ban said, "the humanitarian situation grows more alarming every day" and the country "stands on the brink of economic, social and political collapse."
The secretary-general said he told President Robert Mugabe "things need to change urgently" during a meeting several weeks ago on the sidelines of a U.N. conference in Doha, Qatar, and Mugabe agreed to receive his envoy, Haile Menkarios.
"Now we are told that the timing is not right," Ban said. "If this is not the time, when is?"
The Southern African Development Community has insisted on leading diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, but eight months of talks have produced few results, Ban said, adding that "a fair and sustainable political solution" must come quickly.
In Congo, Ban said, U.N. forces "have held the line" but have been unable to protect innocent people from violence.
"Our record on human rights is on trial — in many places, in many ways," he said. "In this 60th anniversary year, we must stand strong for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
In conflict-wracked Darfur, he urged Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir to fully cooperate with U.N. resolutions and lamented that the joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force still needs helicopters and will only be 60 percent deployed by the end of the year.
In Afghanistan, he said "a political surge and a clear change of direction are required" to deal with growing insurgent attacks and the worsening humanitarian situation.
While the U.N. responded well to the world food crisis, tackling the problem on a wide front including nutrition, agricultural production, trade and social protection, "it has not gone away" he said.
Ban said he was pleased with U.N. and international efforts to keep climate change high on the global agenda.
"2009 will be the year of climate change," he said, stressing the importance of reaching a global deal requiring nations to make mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases starting in 2013.
Ban said he has been frustrated by the failure to protect innocent lives, and the lack of resources and political will to tackle important issues such as poverty, conflicts and climate change.
Though the world came together to confront the global financial crisis, "I fear we are only at the end of the beginning," Ban said, stressing that "global solidarity" will be key to a solution.
Ban said he was pleased at the world's response to natural disasters, including the devastating cyclone in Myanmar and hurricanes that lashed Haiti.
"Yet I am disappointed by the unwillingness of the government of Myanmar to deliver on its promises for democratic dialogue and the release of political prisoners," he said.
In Zimbabwe, Ban said, "the humanitarian situation grows more alarming every day" and the country "stands on the brink of economic, social and political collapse."
The secretary-general said he told President Robert Mugabe "things need to change urgently" during a meeting several weeks ago on the sidelines of a U.N. conference in Doha, Qatar, and Mugabe agreed to receive his envoy, Haile Menkarios.
"Now we are told that the timing is not right," Ban said. "If this is not the time, when is?"
The Southern African Development Community has insisted on leading diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, but eight months of talks have produced few results, Ban said, adding that "a fair and sustainable political solution" must come quickly.
In Congo, Ban said, U.N. forces "have held the line" but have been unable to protect innocent people from violence.
"Our record on human rights is on trial — in many places, in many ways," he said. "In this 60th anniversary year, we must stand strong for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
In conflict-wracked Darfur, he urged Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir to fully cooperate with U.N. resolutions and lamented that the joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force still needs helicopters and will only be 60 percent deployed by the end of the year.
In Afghanistan, he said "a political surge and a clear change of direction are required" to deal with growing insurgent attacks and the worsening humanitarian situation.
While the U.N. responded well to the world food crisis, tackling the problem on a wide front including nutrition, agricultural production, trade and social protection, "it has not gone away" he said.
Ban said he was pleased with U.N. and international efforts to keep climate change high on the global agenda.
"2009 will be the year of climate change," he said, stressing the importance of reaching a global deal requiring nations to make mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases starting in 2013.
Myanmar blames "extravagant" Americans for crisis
"I dare say that our country does not need to worry about the global financial crisis," the article said.
Newspapers are tightly controlled by the military, which has reduced a once-promising economy and country to an impoverished international pariah after more than four decades of rule.
Noting that the financial crisis had been spawned in the United States, the article said: "Americans are a people who are extravagant and do not hesitate to buy an elephant if it is available on credit."
Some independent observers were less optimistic about Myanmar's ability to sail through the crisis.
Despite abundant natural gas, minerals and timber coveted by China, India and other regional neighbours, Myanmar is among the world's poorest countries due mainly to the failed policies of a reclusive regime.
"Our economy is already in very bad shape. So it couldn't be worse," said a retired professor, noting that the main city, Yangon , experienced 20-hour blackouts each day.
Returning migrant workers had little hope of finding work after losing their jobs in neighbouring countries such as Thailand, where factories are closing or cutting production due to the global economic slowdown.
A member of the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry said export industries were already feeling the pain of slowing demand.
"There has been a steep drop in orders for some major export items such as garments and rubber," the businessman said.
The global economic downturn is a further blow to a tourism industry struggling to recover in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis in May, and the junta's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2007.
In the ancient capital of Bagan, home to 1,000 year-old temples on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, the lack of tourists in the traditional peak season is threatening many with ruin.
"The lacquerware industry depends on tourists, but it is now facing a critical condition," one hotel operator said, adding that many artists were abandoning the centuries-old industry.
Newspapers are tightly controlled by the military, which has reduced a once-promising economy and country to an impoverished international pariah after more than four decades of rule.
Noting that the financial crisis had been spawned in the United States, the article said: "Americans are a people who are extravagant and do not hesitate to buy an elephant if it is available on credit."
Some independent observers were less optimistic about Myanmar's ability to sail through the crisis.
Despite abundant natural gas, minerals and timber coveted by China, India and other regional neighbours, Myanmar is among the world's poorest countries due mainly to the failed policies of a reclusive regime.
"Our economy is already in very bad shape. So it couldn't be worse," said a retired professor, noting that the main city, Yangon , experienced 20-hour blackouts each day.
Returning migrant workers had little hope of finding work after losing their jobs in neighbouring countries such as Thailand, where factories are closing or cutting production due to the global economic slowdown.
A member of the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry said export industries were already feeling the pain of slowing demand.
"There has been a steep drop in orders for some major export items such as garments and rubber," the businessman said.
The global economic downturn is a further blow to a tourism industry struggling to recover in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis in May, and the junta's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2007.
In the ancient capital of Bagan, home to 1,000 year-old temples on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, the lack of tourists in the traditional peak season is threatening many with ruin.
"The lacquerware industry depends on tourists, but it is now facing a critical condition," one hotel operator said, adding that many artists were abandoning the centuries-old industry.
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