UN chief vows efforts for reform, hunger-free world

NEW YORK, June 6 (Yonhap) -- As he declared a bid for another term as secretary general of the United Nations on Monday, Ban Ki-moon vowed continued efforts toward the reform of the global body and a fresh vision for sustainable development of underdeveloped nations.
In a written interview with South Korean correspondents here, the former South Korean foreign minister said he has focused on building up trust among U.N. member nations since he took office in 2007.
"(I) have been drumming up political will toward a peaceful and fair world including the realization of a nuclear-free world, the protection of women, children and refugees and fight against climate change and poverty as well as presenting a vision for the reform of the U.N," Ban said.
He pledged to spearhead an international campaign to deal effectively with multiple challenges and to promote peace, stability, development and human rights.
"(I) will endeavor to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) scheduled till 2015 and put forward a development agenda beyond the MDGs," Ban added. "(I) will also push for a tough reform of the U.N. secretariat, while trying to enhance th U.N.'s capacity for humanitarian aid in case of a large scale disaster and conflict."
Ban had planned to make public his desire for the second term earlier but an announcement was delayed by the unrest in North Africa and the Middle East.
Ban has no declared rival for the post and none of the five permanent members of the Security Council opposes him.
The Security Council is expected to convene soon a closed-door meeting to adopt a resolution recommending Ban's reelection. The General Assembly then will likely make a formal decision to appoint him by acclamation, possibly by the end of the month, to pave the way for him to start his second term on Jan. 1.
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