Former UN 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 yesterday in announcing the appointment that Ban will bring a unique and valuable perspective based on his record of global leadership and understanding of geopolitics. <br/><br/>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 UN action to combat poverty.<br/><br/>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.