Ban Ki-moon Sworn in, Pledges Harmony Among Member States

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

As he was sworn in for a second term in office as the United Nations secretary-general, Mr. Ban Ki-moon has promised to serve as a bridge-builder among member states within the United Nations system, and between the United Nations and the rich diversity of its international partners.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly after taking the oath of office, Mr. Ki-moon pledged his full commitment, energy and resolve to uphold the fundamental principles of the UN’s sacred charter.

Speaking further, he said, “A clear time-frame lies ahead: the target date for the Millennium Development Goals in 2015, next year’s Rio + 20 conference, the high-level meeting on nuclear safety in September and the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul next year.”

The United Nations chief continued that his leadership would do more to connect the dots of the world’s challenges, so that solutions to one global problem would become solutions for all on women and children’s health, green growth and more equitable social and economic development.

He added that as never before, the UN would be on the front lines, 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.

Ki-moon said the UN had “laid a firm foundation for the future” on a number of issues since he assumed office, including climate change, nuclear disarmament, education, sustainable development and global health.

“We are on track to eliminate deaths from malaria. With a final push, we can eradicate polio, just as we did smallpox long ago. We have shielded the poor and vulnerable against the greatest economic upheaval in generations.”

The secretary-general also cited the UN’s peacekeeping efforts in conflicts and crises around the world, the creation of the agency known as UN Women, and the UN’s response to major humanitarian disasters in Haiti, Pakistan and Myanmar.

Following his swearing-in, General Assembly president, Joseph Deiss praised Mr. Ki-moon for “his remarkable leadership” of the world body.

“In a complex, difficult international environment, you have strengthened the role and the visibility of the United Nations by adopting reform measures, launching exciting,

innovative initiatives and calling faithfully and constantly for respect for human rights, the rule of law and the other values rooted in our charter,” Mr. Deiss told the Assembly.

Ki-moon took the oath of office, placing his hand on the original UN Charter and promising to discharge his functions in the interest of the entire UN and to not seek or accept instructions from any government.

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