On Tuesday September 1, the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon visited Ny-Ålesund as part of his visit to Svalbard and the Arctic.  

He was accompanied by the Norwegian Minister of the Environment, Mr. Erik Solheim, and the Governor of Svalbard, Mr. Per Sefland. The director of Kings Bay AS, Mr. Oddvar Midtkandal, welcomed the distinguished guests upon their arrival early on Tuesday morning. The visit was hosted by the Norwegian Polar Institute.

This visit to the High North forms part of the Secretary-General's preparations before the International Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. By going to Svalbard and Ny-Ålesund Mr. Ban Ki-moon has expressed that he has become convinced by the climatic changes he could observe for himself, and also that these are man-made. Supported by scientists who have first-hand experience with the research being performed in these areas, Mr. Ban Ki-moon received much information and knowledge about the changing climate in the Arctic.

During the stay in Ny-Ålesund, Mr. Ban Ki-moon visited the Korean Dasan resarch station after a quick walk through town from the harbour. The director of the Korean Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Dr. Hong Kum Lee received the Secretary-General, and offered a guided tour through the station and gave information about the research activities performed there. Later, a visit to the Zeppelin mountain station formed part of the stay. The Norwegian Polar Institute hosted this session, and offered insight in the atmospheric long- and short term measurements that have been performed at the station since it was opened in 1990.

Afterwards the visitors left Ny-Ålesund to go up to the ice edge further North where R/V Lance was waiting. The departure from Ny-Ålesund took place on board the coast guard ship K/V Svalbard.