General Assembly
Ban Ki-moon Photo: AP
S. Korea’s Ban Ki-moon named next UN chief General Assembly adopts resolution appointing South Korean foreign minister to succeed Kofi Annan; Israeli ambassador to UN recently referred to Ban’s appointment as ‘good for Israel’ Associated Press Published: 10.13.06, 22:48 / Israel News Tweet The General Assembly adopted a resolution by acclamation Friday appointing South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon to succeed Kofi Annan as the next UN Secretary-general. When Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, the assembly president, asked members of the 192-nation world body to adopt the resolution by acclamation, When Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, the assembly president, asked members of the 192-nation world body to adopt the resolution by acclamation, She then banged the gavel saying “It is so decided.” “I have the honor to announce that His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon has been appointed by acclamation secretary-general of the United Nations,” she said. “This is a historic day for the organization as it continues to evolve and live up to the values and principles of the (UN) Charter.” She then banged the gavel saying “It is so decided.” “I have the honor to announce that His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon has been appointed by acclamation secretary-general of the United Nations,” she said. “This is a historic day for the organization as it continues to evolve and live up to the values and principles of the (UN) Charter.” The council then voted by acclamation to recommend his selection. Ban will oversee an organization with some 92,000 peacekeepers around the world and a USD 5 billion annual budget whose reputation has been tarnished by corruption scandals and whose outdated practices need reform to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The council then voted by acclamation to recommend his selection. Ban will oversee an organization with some 92,000 peacekeepers around the world and a USD 5 billion annual budget whose reputation has been tarnished by corruption scandals and whose outdated practices need reform to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Gillerman recently stated that Ban's appointment was good for Israel's standing in the organization. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Gillerman recently stated that Ban's appointment was good for Israel's standing in the organization. "He is a quiet, experienced and professional diplomat. He is not a man of fireworks, but nevertheless is very thorough, with a deep and clear understanding of the conflict. I believe that he understands Israel's stance," stated Gillerman. 'We believe he is the right person' Gillerman added that he was hesitant to hold everything to the standard 'Is it good or bad for the Jews?' "If the secretary general is serious and fair and appoints underlings who are serious and fair, and the UN will be serious, clean and organized, this will be good for the Jews." Ban, 62, will become the eighth secretary-general in the UN’s 60-year history on Jan. 1 when Annan’s second five-year term expires. He was one of seven candidates vying to be the UN chief and topped all four informal polls in the UN Security Council. Annan hailed Ban as “A future secretary-general who is exceptionally attuned to the sensitivities of countries and constituencies in every continent” and said he would be “a man with a truly global mind at the helm of the world’s only universal organization.” Annan hailed Ban as “A future secretary-general who is exceptionally attuned to the sensitivities of countries and constituencies in every continent” and said he would be “a man with a truly global mind at the helm of the world’s only universal organization.” Ban has been South Korea’s foreign minister for over two and-a-half years and served as national security adviser to two presidents - jobs that focused on relations with North Korea which he has said will be a top priority in his new job. During a nearly 40-year diplomatic career, he was posted in India, Austria, Washington and at the United Nations. Ban has been South Korea’s foreign minister for over two and-a-half years and served as national security adviser to two presidents - jobs that focused on relations with North Korea which he has said will be a top priority in his new job. During a nearly 40-year diplomatic career, he was posted in India, Austria, Washington and at the United Nations. Speaking for the United States as the host country of the UN, US Ambassador John Bolton said, “We believe he is the right person to lead the United Nations at this decisive movement in its history, particularly as the UN struggles to fulfill the terms of the reform agenda that world leaders agreed to last fall.” Speaking for the United States as the host country of the UN, US Ambassador John Bolton said, “We believe he is the right person to lead the United Nations at this decisive movement in its history, particularly as the UN struggles to fulfill the terms of the reform agenda that world leaders agreed to last fall.” Tweet comment Print Send to friend Bookmark to del.icio.us
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Ban Ki-moon
South Korean Ban Ki-moon, 68, has been endorsed unanimously by the  to succeed Kofi Annan as the  of the United Nations, on October 13. 

He will take the position of Secretary General on January 1.

When asked by   to adopt the resolution by an oral vote, the room filled with hundreds of diplomats and UN staff clapping loudly. A formal vote was not conducted as the decision was unanimous.

She banged her gavel after the vote and said, "It is so decided. I have the honor to announce that His Excellency Ban Ki-moon has been appointed by acclamation secretary-general of the United Nations. This is a historic day for the organization as it continues to evolve and live up to the values and principles of the ." 

At the time of the decision itself, the South Korean was the only candidate for the job - when informal polls were carried out within the UN, the other five individuals fared so badly that they all dropped out of the leadership race.

"I will work diligently to materialise our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of humanity and for the peaceful resolution of threats to international security and regional stability," Mr. Ban told the Assembly.

"The true measure of success for the UN is not how much we promise, but how much we deliver for those who need us most."

"The UN is needed now more than ever before."

Mr. Ban, the first Asian Secretary General since  from Burma, said he was committed to meeting , expanding peace operations and dealing with threats posed by terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, HIV/AIDS and other pandemics, environmental degradation and protecting human rights.

He also mentioned , something the United States — which contributes the largest part of the budget of the UN, with 22 % , but also has arrears of 1.3 billion dollars — has long called for. However, the new Secretary General made clear that any changes would occur at his own pace.

"We reform not to please others, but because we value what this organisation stands for," he said. 

"We cannot change everything at once. But if we choose wisely, and work together transparently, flexibly and honestly, progress in a few areas will lead to progress in a few more." 

Kofi Annan, 68, described Ban as "a future secretary-general who is exceptionally attuned to the sensitivities of countries and constituencies in every continent. A man with a truly global mind at the helm of the world's only universal organisation."

He added that he wished Ban strength and courage as he prepared to take over the job and to "have fun along the way."

"We believe he is the right person to lead the United Nations at this decisive moment in its history, particularly as the UN struggles to fulfill the terms of the reform agenda that world leaders agreed to last fall," U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton told the assembly.

Israeli Ambassador Danny Gillerman said that it was good for Israel's standing in the organization.

"If the secretary general is serious and fair and appoints underlings who are serious and fair, and the UN will be serious, clean and organized, this will be good for the Jews,"  said Mr. Gillerman.

Mr Ban will hold the position for five years until the next election in 2011.