Ex-UN chief Ban Ki-moon joins ex-leaders promoting peace

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is joining The Elders, the group of former world leaders founded by Nelson Mandela to promote peace, justice and human rights worldwide.

His predecessor as secretary-general, Kofi Annan, is chairman of The Elders. He said Friday in announcing the appointment that Ban “will bring a unique and valuable perspective based on his record of global leadership and understanding of geopolitics.”

Ex-Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, deputy chair of the group, said Ban will take on issues that he championed as secretary-general — climate action, gender equality and U.N. action to combat poverty.

Ban was secretary-general from 2007 through 2016. He said: “The Elders and the United Nations share the same values of justice, solidarity and a determination to fight for peace and human rights.”