Sec-Gen sets agenda for final term
THE United Nations (UN) General Assembly has endorsed the nomination of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, for a second, final term as the global body's scribe.
Acting on the recommendation of the Security Council, the General Assembly Tuesday afternoon unanimously appointed Ban for a second five-year term beginning January 1, 2012.
In a draft resolution adopted by acclamation, the Assembly also expressed its appreciation for Ban's effective and dedicated service during his first term.
At his first media briefing late on Tuesday after the General Assembly endorsed his nomination, Ban, who was visibly elated, told reporters: "I am deeply honoured by this unanimous support by the United Nations Member-States"
Ban disclosed that he was already exploring "how can I more effectively deliver results to the many people who
need our support."
He said these included "people whose human rights are abused, to many refugees, internally displaced people, to the many people who are sick and to those young people who would not have hope or a brighter future."
According to him, "whenever I saw many young children – boys and girls – who have not been able to go to schools, who have not been taken care of properly in terms of health, in terms of all of human rights, I have been really humbled and trying to think (about) how I can help those people."
Recalling his encounters with some of the young people, Ban said they reminded him of his days as a young child in Korea after the Korean War.
His words: "I was like one of them. So I told them: Please do not despair, do not lose your hope, there is the United Nations, we are trying to help you. You have a Secretary-General of the United Nations who has experienced that kind of hardship.
"I will really try to help these young people. We have to provide them with good educational opportunities, job opportunities."
Meanwhile, African diplomats have asked the Secretary-General to bolster his action "in favour of Africa" during his second and final term.
Speaking on behalf of other Permanent Representatives and Ambassadors from Africa during the re-election of Ban at Tuesday's General Assembly meeting, Senegalese Ambassador, Abdou Salam Diallo, said "a feeling of widespread satisfaction was at the core of massive support for Mr. Ban's second term."
According to him, the African Group was pleased to continue its dynamic, effective cooperation with the Secretary-General to carry out the ideals of the Charter.
Diallo praised Ban's "professionalism, dedication and firm determination to raise high the torch of the United Nations."
The African diplomats also welcomed the "vigorous and effective" way in which the Secretary-General had faced pressing global problems, including efforts on the Millennium Development Goals, global peace and security, climate change, democracy, human rights and women's empowerment.
They hoped that "the Secretary-General's second term would be an opportunity to strengthen his action in favour of Africa.
Source: The Guardian.