Ban Ki-moon is to be awarded an international peace prize for his role in tackling climate change, global conflicts and natural disasters, it has been announced.
Following in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, Bob Geldof and Malala Yousafzai, the UN secretary-general said he was honoured to be named the latest recipient of the Tipperary International Peace Award.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition from Tipperary Peace Convention,” Mr Ban said.
"I see this award, above all, as a tribute to the brave and dedicated women and men of the United Nations working every day to advance peace, development and human rights around the globe."
The prize will be presented to Mr Ban at a ceremony in Tipperary later this year.
Martin Quinn, secretary of the Tipperary Peace Convention, said the UN chief is being honoured for his leadership in mobilising the international community to address climate change, forge a new development agenda and respond to a series of grave conflicts and major natural disasters.
“At a moment of division, he has sought to be a bridge-builder; in a period of economic upheaval, he has strived to give voice to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people; and in a world of deepening interconnectedness, he has pursued wide-ranging efforts to adapt the United Nations to face a new generation of challenges and threats,” Mr Quinn said.
Previous recipients of the Tipperary International Peace Award include former South African president Nelson Mandela, Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof, former US president Bill Clinton, former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto and Pakistani Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai.
PA