UNITED NATIONS: Ahead of education activist Malala Yousufzai’s visit to the United Nations headquarters on Friday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has highlighted the importance of ensuring global access to quality education, and said that no girl or boy should face unsafe circumstances when exercising this basic right.

“On 12 July, Malala will be joined by hundreds of students from more than 80 countries in a unique Youth Assembly where diplomats will take a back seat as young people take over the UN,” Mr Ban said in an article for the Huffington Post.

“They will gather to issue a global call for quality education for all.

“We must do all we can to ensure that schools are safe and secure learning spaces. Nowhere in the world should it be an act of bravery for an adult to teach or a girl to go to school.”

During her UN visit, which coincides with her 16th birthday, Malala will share her experiences and raise awareness about the importance of education, particularly for girls around the world.

“In far too many places, students like Malala and their teachers are threatened, assaulted, even killed,” Mr Ban said.

“Through hate-filled actions, extremists have shown what frightens them the most: a girl with a book.”