Carbondale Reporter

After a full decade of service as the United Nations' secretary-general, South Korean statesman Ban Ki-moon will deliver his last public speech at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday at SIU Carbondale’s Student Center ballrooms.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. for the event, which is free and open to the general public.

After the U.N. leader speaks on “What I Have Learned and Would Like to Pass On” — a topic suggested by SIU officials when they learned that this will be his final public appearance — a reception will follow in the building’s International Lounge.                

“We are honored that the secretary-general accepted our invitation,” interim Chancellor Brad Colwell said. “I believe he did so because of our strong reputation as a national research university, our rich history of embracing international education, and the important work of the Simon Institute and the United Nations Association-USA Southern Illinois Chapter.”

Southern Illinois University has hosted several U.N. officials previously. In addition to sponsorship by SIU’s Office of the Chancellor, Ban Ki-moon’s visit is also supported by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and the United Nations Association-USA Southern Illinois Chapter, both in Carbondale.

First elected as the eighth U.N. secretary-general in 2007, Ban Ki-moon was re-elected unanimously in 2011. His foreign service career has taken him to New Delhi; Washington, D.C.; and Vienna. In his role with the U.N., he has prioritized climate change, global trade, and health and infrastructure concerns.