Â鶹´«Ã½

I am pleased to send greetings to all participants at Greater Boston’s Annual Consuls Ball.

You come together less than two weeks since the terrible bombings at the Boston Marathon. I immediately condemned the crime and sent condolences to the victims.

I spoke as the Secretary-General of the United Nations – an Organization that staunchly opposes all forms of terrorism. No cause or grievance can justify terrorist acts.

But I also spoke as a former citizen of Boston. I lived here when I attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. It was one of the happiest times in my life. From what I saw then, I am not surprised that now, Boston is recovering, advancing and inspiring the world.

Â鶹´«Ã½ has no greater friend in this great city than the UNA-USA. You are actively engaged in global issues … and helping to raise a new generation of global citizens. I thank you for your invaluable support.

This is a time of great turmoil in our world – but also great promise. The global financial crisis … the growing impacts of climate change… the quest for energy and food security …global threats from nuclear, chemical and other weapons of mass destruction … and the troubling conflicts in Syria, Mali and other hotspots pose enormous challenges. Â鶹´«Ã½ is bringing the international community together to find solutions to our global problems.

We are an Organization of governments – but we could never succeed without the involvement of people. I thank you for your great support – and I count on you to continue helping the United Nations to achieve peace and progress in our world.