ID :
190237
Wed, 06/22/2011 - 01:40
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/190237
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(UN reelection) Ban reelected as U.N. chief for bridge-building role
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with Ban's comments, responses by U.N. officials, China; ADDS photo)
NEW YORK (Yonhap) - The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday gave Ban Ki-moon a mandate to lead the 192-member organization for another five years, apparently in recognition of his dedicated service for a better and peaceful world.
The unanimous reelection of the 67-year-old former South Korean foreign minister comes as the international community faces a number of tough challenges from conflicts in several regions to climate change and poverty. Ban was inaugurated in 2007 and his second term begins next year.
He emphasized the need for more concerted action by world leaders.
"As never before, the U.N. is on the frontlines, protecting people and also helping build the peace -- in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia; in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East," Ban said in his acceptance speech at the assembly.
"We have stood firm for democracy, justice and human rights -- in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), North Africa and beyond. We have carved out a new dimension for the responsibility to protect" civilians, he added.
Ban's four and a half years as leader of the bulky agency, which some describe as "the most impossible job," has been tumultuous as he has pushed for internal reform and dealt with an earthquake in Haiti and turmoil in Africa and the Middle East.
North Korea carried out nuclear and long-range missile tests in 2009, sparking diplomatic sparring among the U.S., China and other regional powers on the Security Council.
But the globe-trotting Ban, gentle but decisive, has endeavored to play a role as "bridge builder," according to his aides. He seems to have been at every major disaster scene or conflict zone around the world.
U.N. officials characterize Ban's leadership style as people-oriented, saying he respects those with different opinions.
In his early years, Ban, the first Asian U.N. chief in four decades, faced a barrage of criticism. In addition to an internal backlash against his reform drive, western media criticized him for being too quiet and uncharismatic. Some developing countries argued that Ban was heavily aligned with Washington.
A significant turnaround in the assessment of Ban's leadership came with his handling of a recent civil war in Cote d'Ivoire, observers say.
Ban strongly demanded President Laurent Gbagbo, who refused to accept his defeat, step down, while seeking political and military resolutions simultaneously through his special representative in the nation, Choi Young-jin. Gbagbo finally bowed to pressure after four months of defiance.
U.N. officials agree on Ban's role in resolving the crisis.
"During the events in Ivory Coast, the secretary-general took extremely courageous and decisive steps to successfully halt the violence against civilians and restore the constitutional order of that country," Alain Le Roy, U.N. undersecretary-general for peacekeeping operations, said in an e-mail interview with Yonhap News Agency.
Ban has also aggressively voiced support for civil protests against dictatorships in North Africa and the Middle East. Ban's homeland, South Korea, rose out of the ashes from the 1950-53 Korean War with U.N. assistance and has successfully achieved democracy and economic development.
In addition, Ban won praise for his commitment to climate change, nuclear disarmament and women's issues.
In statements Tuesday, major countries welcomed his reelection.
"This is an important day in the life of this institution," Ambassador Susan Rice, Washington's permanent representative to the U.N., said as member states approved Ban's second term by voice vote. "Under the secretary-general's leadership, the United Nations has moved to meet the challenges of a new century -- one in which we must all work together to find shared solutions to common challenges that pay no heed to borders."
Ban has been a champion of peace and security, an advocate for development, and a voice for universal human rights, she added.
China's foreign ministry also issued a quick statement.
"China will continue its support for the work of Mr. Ban and the United Nations," spokesman Hong Lei said.
NEW YORK (Yonhap) - The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday gave Ban Ki-moon a mandate to lead the 192-member organization for another five years, apparently in recognition of his dedicated service for a better and peaceful world.
The unanimous reelection of the 67-year-old former South Korean foreign minister comes as the international community faces a number of tough challenges from conflicts in several regions to climate change and poverty. Ban was inaugurated in 2007 and his second term begins next year.
He emphasized the need for more concerted action by world leaders.
"As never before, the U.N. is on the frontlines, protecting people and also helping build the peace -- in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia; in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East," Ban said in his acceptance speech at the assembly.
"We have stood firm for democracy, justice and human rights -- in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), North Africa and beyond. We have carved out a new dimension for the responsibility to protect" civilians, he added.
Ban's four and a half years as leader of the bulky agency, which some describe as "the most impossible job," has been tumultuous as he has pushed for internal reform and dealt with an earthquake in Haiti and turmoil in Africa and the Middle East.
North Korea carried out nuclear and long-range missile tests in 2009, sparking diplomatic sparring among the U.S., China and other regional powers on the Security Council.
But the globe-trotting Ban, gentle but decisive, has endeavored to play a role as "bridge builder," according to his aides. He seems to have been at every major disaster scene or conflict zone around the world.
U.N. officials characterize Ban's leadership style as people-oriented, saying he respects those with different opinions.
In his early years, Ban, the first Asian U.N. chief in four decades, faced a barrage of criticism. In addition to an internal backlash against his reform drive, western media criticized him for being too quiet and uncharismatic. Some developing countries argued that Ban was heavily aligned with Washington.
A significant turnaround in the assessment of Ban's leadership came with his handling of a recent civil war in Cote d'Ivoire, observers say.
Ban strongly demanded President Laurent Gbagbo, who refused to accept his defeat, step down, while seeking political and military resolutions simultaneously through his special representative in the nation, Choi Young-jin. Gbagbo finally bowed to pressure after four months of defiance.
U.N. officials agree on Ban's role in resolving the crisis.
"During the events in Ivory Coast, the secretary-general took extremely courageous and decisive steps to successfully halt the violence against civilians and restore the constitutional order of that country," Alain Le Roy, U.N. undersecretary-general for peacekeeping operations, said in an e-mail interview with Yonhap News Agency.
Ban has also aggressively voiced support for civil protests against dictatorships in North Africa and the Middle East. Ban's homeland, South Korea, rose out of the ashes from the 1950-53 Korean War with U.N. assistance and has successfully achieved democracy and economic development.
In addition, Ban won praise for his commitment to climate change, nuclear disarmament and women's issues.
In statements Tuesday, major countries welcomed his reelection.
"This is an important day in the life of this institution," Ambassador Susan Rice, Washington's permanent representative to the U.N., said as member states approved Ban's second term by voice vote. "Under the secretary-general's leadership, the United Nations has moved to meet the challenges of a new century -- one in which we must all work together to find shared solutions to common challenges that pay no heed to borders."
Ban has been a champion of peace and security, an advocate for development, and a voice for universal human rights, she added.
China's foreign ministry also issued a quick statement.
"China will continue its support for the work of Mr. Ban and the United Nations," spokesman Hong Lei said.
