Wider view of the General Assembly Hall. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN General Assembly high-level forum on the culture of peace was held in New York on Friday in the context of escalating tensions around the world. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon expressed his worries about recent disorders security, instability in the Middle East, and negative impacts caused by the global economic crisis. In that context, Ban called on nations, peoples, and religious followers to enhance solidarity and mutual understanding, hold dialogues and cooperation to jointly overcome these difficulties. The UN Chief said he hopes the international community will be fully aware of losses and sufferings caused by the lack of mutual understanding, non-cooperation, and discordance to facilitate the best possible conditions for dialogues, and to build trust among nations, peoples, and religions for peace and prosperity.