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SINGAPORE, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by National University of Singapore (NUS) on Tuesday during his two-day visit to the city state.
Ban was conferred the honorary doctorate by Singapore's president, NUS Chancellor Tony Tan Keng Yam in a conferment ceremony held at Istana.
The honorary degree was awarded in recognition of Ban's international efforts to promote sustainable development, human rights, global peace and security.
NUS President Prof. Tan Chorh Chuan said NUS is honored and privileged to confer the honorary doctorate. "Ban's global leadership has helped to improve and secure the well-being of peoples throughout the world. We celebrate and are inspired by his determined efforts to find solutions to the most pressing challenges facing mankind today," added Tan.
Ban thanked NUS for the recognition.
"For the past decade as Secretary-General, I have sought to promote not only an effective and responsive United Nations, but also a greater spirit of collective purpose. We need greater compassion among people. And we need stronger solidarity among nations."
Ban mentioned the enormous challenges and also noted that the capacity to solve these challenges is even greater. "If we work together, we can build a better world for all, where nobody is left behind."
Before the honorary doctorate conferment ceremony, Ban attended "Thought Leaders @ NUS: In Conversation with the Secretary-General of the United Nations," sharing his insights on global issues with NUS students.
During his two-day visit, Ban called on Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan respectively. Ban was also be hosted to lunch by Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
In addition, Ban delivered a speech at the 8th Lecture in Singapore Management University's Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series on Monday.
Ban was accompanied by his wife Ban Soon-taek and senior officials from UN. Ban last visited Singapore in 2012.
