The UN NGO Conference kicked off on this Monday in South Korea's historical city of Gyeongju,... marking the first time the event is being held in Asia.
It is also the last stop of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's six-day visit to his home country.
Our Kwon Soa has more on what the UN chief had to say about the future of sustainable development as well as his personal goals.
The role non-governmental organizations have to play in helping countries achieve the UN's sustainable development goals through education was underlined at the 66th UN NGO Conference in the southern city of Gyeongju, Monday.


"The conference proudly shows off a long history and is even more significant this time as it's being held in Asia for the first time."



In line with this year's theme, "Education for Global Citizenship," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted Korea as a successful example,... citing its transformation from aid recipient to donor country.
At a press conference following the opening ceremony,... Ban fielded questions about his biggest achievement during his two terms as UN chief.


"If u ask me today, something which I feel proud of, as I said at the Jeju Forum, there are two very outstanding visions and commitments the world has achieved and adopted. That is the 2030 sustainable development goals, with 17 goals."

The other one, he said was climate change.


"Almost everybody, in the world agrees that it was I, as a Secretary-General, who really put this climate change high on the international agenda."

Ban also commented on speculation about his visit to Korea being linked to a possible presidential bid.


"I am asking [press] to refrain from over-interpreting my actions in Korea. There are many assumptions and reports about what I will do in the future,... but let me just tell you I know best what I plan to do and I will be the one to make any decisions."


“Ban wrapped up his six-day trip to his home country Monday to return to New York amid