Ban Ki-moon Reelected for 2nd Term as UN Chief

World | June 22, 2011, Wednesday // 08:32|  views

Ban Ki-moon was reappointed Tuesday for a second term as UN Secretary-General. Photo by BGNES

The United Nations General Assembly agreed Tuesday to appoint Ban Ki-moon to a second consecutive term as the Secretary-General of the 192-member organization.

The news was reported on the official UN internet page.

Under the resolution, which was adopted by acclamation, the second term will run from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016.

The reelection came on the heels of a recommendation extended last week by members of the Security Council to reappoint Ban Ki-moon. He is the eighth person to serve as UN Chief and has been in office since January 2007.

Following the reappointment, General Assembly President Joseph Deiss praised Ban Ki-moon for "his remarkable leadership" of the organization.

"In a complex, difficult international environment, you have strengthened the role and the visibility of the United Nations by adopting reform measures; launching exciting, innovative initiatives; and calling faithfully and constantly for respect for human rights, the rule of law and the other values rooted in our Charter," Deiss is quoted telling the Assembly.

Also on Tuesday, Ban Ki-moon took the oath of office, saying that he was "proud and humbled to accept" the appointment of a second term as UN Chief.

"As Secretary-General, I will work as a harmonizer and bridge-builder – among Member States, within the United Nations system, and between the United Nations and a rich diversity of international partners," Ban Ki-moon stated.

He stressed that no challenge is too large. "Together, nothing is impossible," he said, noting that people are looking more and more to the UN to lead on key issues.

"We knew then – and more so now – that we live in an era of integration and inter-connection, a new era when no country can solve all challenges on its own and where every country should be part of the solution. That is the reality of the modern world. We can struggle with it, or we can lead."

Ban Ki-moon said the UN had "laid a firm foundation for the future" on a number of issues since he assumed office, including climate change, nuclear disarmament, education, sustainable development and global health.

The Secretary-General also cited the UN's peacekeeping efforts in conflicts and crises around the world, the creation of the agency known as UN Women, and the UN's response to major humanitarian disasters in Haiti, Pakistan and Myanmar.

Looking ahead, he noted that the current economic times in the wake of the global financial crisis meant the world, and the UN as an institution, have to do more with less.

Speaking later to journalists, Ban Ki-moon emphasized what he described as "the power of partnership. By working together, we have advanced on the many global challenges of our times.

"A broad constellation of NGOs (non-governmental organizations), business leaders and others have been a big part of this picture," he said, adding he wanted to thank UN staff for their dedication and hard work.

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Tags: Ban Ki-moon, reappointed, second term, UN, Secretary-General

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