KABUL - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on all those engaged in armed hostilities around the world to observe the Olympic Truce by laying down their weapons, as the Russian city of Sochi prepares to host the Winter Olympics this week.

“I call on all combatants everywhere to respect the Olympic Truce, which has been adopted by all 193 United Nations Member States. Overcoming conflict is a constant struggle – but we must persist in doing our utmost to win adherence to it,” said Mr. Ban, in a statement released earlier this week.

The UN chief is travelling to Russia today to take part in the opening of the XXII Olympic Winter Games, which will be held from 7 to 23 February in Sochi, situated along Russia’s Black Sea coast. This is the first time the Russian Federation is hosting the Games.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is one of several Heads of State and Governments participating at the opening of the Sochi Games, according to the head of the Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), Sifatullah Sahaf Safi.

The ancient Greek tradition of the ekecheiria, or Olympic Truce, was born in the eighth century BC “to encourage a peaceful environment and ensure safe passage, access and participation for athletes and relevant persons at the Games, thereby mobilizing the youth of the world to the cause of peace.”

In his statement, Mr. Ban encouraged all those involved in the games – Governments, groups, organizations and individuals – to uphold and defend “these core Olympic ideals.”

“The Olympic Truce is rooted in the hope that if people and nations can put aside their differences for one day, they can build on that to establish more lasting cease-fires and find paths towards durable peace, prosperity and human rights. For these next few weeks, may the torch of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi remind us what is possible when nations unite,” he said.

Last week, UN General Assembly President John Ashe also called on Member States to take “concrete steps” to promote and strengthen a culture of peace and harmony based on the spirit of the Olympic Truce.

“I solemnly appeal to all Member States to demonstrate their commitment to the Olympic Truce for the 2014 Sochi Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Mr. Ashe. “I also call upon all warring parties of current armed conflicts around the world to boldly agree to true mutual ceasefires for the duration of the Olympic Truce, thus providing an opportunity to settle disputes peacefully.”