South Korean Ban Ki-Moon was re-elected Tuesday by the 192 UN member states for a second five-year term as Secretary-General of the organization.
UN General Assembly voted by acclamation the election of Ban Ki-Moon. The election was almost certain, Ban Ki-moon not having a rival. He received on Friday, the support of the 15 members of the Security Council.
While the people in the room applauded, former South Korean foreign minister, smiling, bowed in front of representatives of member countries. “It is a great honor beyond any expression. I humbly receive this testimony of your confidence”, he said.
In a meeting with the press after his election, the UN chief recalled the Middle East peace process, only to recognize that there was little progress in the last six decades. The key is “flexibility, otherwise it will be no progress” between Israelis and Palestinians, he added. On this issue “I am engaged and will continue my efforts”, he promised.
Ban Ki-Moon insisted also on the fight against climate change while international negotiations on this dossier lag. “Climate change will remain our priority”, he said.
In front of the member countries, Ban has praised their action during his first term.
“As never before, the UN is the vanguard of helping people. We remain firm on democracy, justice and human rights, in Côte d’Ivoire, in the Arab world and elsewhere”, he said.
Ban Ki-Moon accepted congratulations from the United States, whose ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, has welcomed him “as a champion of peace and security”.
In Paris, President Nicolas Sarkozy also congratulated Ban “who demonstrated commitment during his first term serving the UN, peace and international security”.
The same attitude was manifested in Beijing, where Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei expressed the hope that Ban Ki-Moon will continue to “save the world peace, promote common development and boost up international cooperation”.
At age 67, Ban Ki-moon has not the charisma of his predecessor Kofi Annan, but was appreciated for his courageous position during the Arab spring.
Ban Ki-Moon is the eighth UN Secretary-General after the Second World War. His current mandate ends on December 31, 2011. His second term will begin on 1 January 2012 and will end on December 31, 2016.