The UN secretary-general, who is on his last day of visit to Korea, underlined the role non-governmental organizations have to play in helping countries achieve the UN's sustainable development goals.
Ban Ki-moon made the comments today... during his keynote speech at the opening of the 66th UN NGO Conference in the southern city of Gyeongju.
It's the first time the event is being held in Asia.
In line with this year's theme, "Education for Global Citizenship," Ban stressed the importance of education... and pointed to Korea as an example,... citing its successful transformation from aid recipient to donor country.
A press conference was held after the event, during which he was asked about the attention being paid to his visit,... as many people see it as the precursor to a presidential bid.
And this was his answer.


"I am asking you to refrain from stretched interpretations of my actions in Korea. There are many assumptions and reports on what I will do in the future,... but let me just tell you that it's I, myself, who knows best what I will be doing and I will be the one having to decide."