New York, June 18: The UN Security Council approved on Friday a second five-year term for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a vote that precedes the 192-member General Assembly vote scheduled to take place next week.
The unanimous vote came after a one-day delay due to what UN diplomats described as procedural and technical hold ups from some Latin American countries.
The council said it “recommends to the General Assembly that Mr. Ban Ki-moon be appointed secretary-general of the United Nations for a second term of office from Jan. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2016.”
Ban, the former South Korean foreign minister, is the only candidate and it is assumed he will be re-elected by the General Assembly.
The Secretary-General spoke from Brasilia, Brazil, while on a Latin America tour. He said he was “deeply honoured” by the council's recommendation.
“It's an immense privilege to serve this great organisation as Secretary-General, and I am grateful for the confidence and support.”
67-year-old Ban said that he was proud of what had been accomplished during his first five years, but added “I am aware of the formidable challenges ahead.”
“In the 21st century, the United Nations matters in a different and deeper way,” I am motivated and prepared to continue our work together with the member states, upholding the principles enshrined in the (UN) charter,” he said. AP
