The University of Groningen awarded South-Korean diplomat and politician Mr. Ban Ki-moon with an Honorary Doctorate on 17 October 2018. The former Secretary General of the United Nations was promoted with the Honorary Doctorate by Rector Elmer Sterken, for his outstanding achievements as Chair of the global Commission on Adaptation and his societal contributions in the field of peacekeeping and the development of the Paris Agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon's Honorary Doctorate awarding took place at the Martinichurch in Groningen. A selected number of seats was made available for youth and students, including for the GRL students of Campus Fryslân.