Short speech by His Majesty the King at the dinner in honour of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, The Hague

Mr Secretary-General, Mrs Ban Soon-taek, ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to Noordeinde Palace.
We're delighted to have you with us this evening, Mr and Mrs Ban.

This afternoon we jointly celebrated the opening of the new, permanent building of the International Criminal Court.
And tomorrow we will celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the International Court of Justice.
But this evening - between these two important events - it is you in the spotlight, Mr Secretary-General.

For over nine years, now, you have tirelessly served the international community.
With calm and dignity.
But with fiery conviction in your heart.

Earlier this year you told a group of university students what motivated you personally. You talked about your youth in a war-torn country. And about the headmaster of your secondary school, who said, 'Keep your head above the clouds and your feet firmly on the ground - then advance step by step.' That was his lesson to you. And that is still the guiding principle of your work at the UN, where you help to advance global ideals, while battling the harsh wind of reality.

We all know how strong that wind is at present. As you have told us, over 125 million people are in dire need of humanitarian aid.

Victims of exploitation, violence and discrimination. Families caught in the negative spiral of poverty. Refugees who have lost all hope of peace in their home countries.

Hope. That's what we need more than ever at this time. And people who are willing to keep that hope alive. With their ideals. But above all with their actions. Working day by day, step by step, ready to weather the heaviest storms.

In these efforts, you are always there on the front line.
And you are not alone. There are many around you with the same ideals, working with you, each in their own way. As the gathering here testifies!

Without detracting from the gravity of the crises facing the world, we can conclude that major progress has been made. Hunger and disease have been reduced. Without the UN, without your leadership, this would not have been possible.

As we face the future, the international community has a focus and direction, thanks to landmark steps like the Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Ladies and gentlemen, in our world, everything is interconnected.
Development without peace is impossible.
Peace without justice is untenable.
And justice without development is no use to anyone.

Peace, justice and development are the three Graces of the United Nations. Their power lies in their unity.

That is your message to the world, Mr Secretary-General.

For my wife and me, your presence here in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, also has a personal dimension. For seven years I chaired your Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. My wife is your Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development. In our many contacts, we have seen first hand your courage, your warmth, your determination and your moral leadership.

We would like to thank you sincerely.
You still have some tough months ahead of you as UN Secretary-General. Your work goes on.
But this evening we would like to take the opportunity to drink a toast to you and to your wife.

Mr Secretary-General, Mrs Ban Soon-taek,
To your very good health.
To our ideals.
And to the international community, 'advancing step by step'.